Penguins’ New Head Coach is… Dan Muse

The Pittsburgh Penguins have their man, and it’s not who you’re thinking. The Penguins have ushered in a new era with the hiring of Dan Muse, a New York Rangers assistant coach, as the team’s head coach, the 23rd in franchise history. This is following the departure of Mike Sullivan this past April, after a decade-long tenure that included back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. 

Muse has some large shoes to fill. He brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the Penguins, aiming to revitalize the team, develop their growing pool of young talent, and guide them back to playoff contention. Muse also has a few Pittsburgh ties as well.

Muse's coaching journey is one of a steady climb through various levels of hockey. He began his career as an assistant coach at Milton Academy in 2005, followed by stints at Williams College and Sacred Heart University. His significant NCAA impact came during his time at Yale University from 2009 to 2015, where he contributed to the Bulldogs' first NCAA championship in 2013. Ironically, the tourney was held in Pittsburgh when the arena was known as Consol Energy Center.

In 2015, Muse took the helm of the USHL's Chicago Steel, leading the team to a Clark Cup championship in 2017. His success at the junior level caught the attention of the Nashville Predators, where he served as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2020. During his tenure, the Predators secured two Central Division titles and the Presidents' Trophy in the 2017-18 season.

Muse is most known for his stint with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he coached the Penguins’ top prospect, Rutger McGroarty. Muse led the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team to a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship.

Muse is known for his commitment to player development and modern coaching methodologies, which is exactly the direction the Penguins are headed. The scouting report on Muse is that his approach focuses on developing strong habits, enhancing hockey sense, and bolstering situational awareness among players with the goal of accelerating growth and preparing players for the fast-paced nature of hockey at the NHL level.

As the Penguins' new head coach, Muse brings a blend of experience, innovation, and a track record of success at all levels of hockey. His background in developing young talent aligns with the organization's goal of mixing youth into a lineup that is filled with legendary experience.

Muse's style of coaching should improve the Penguins’ performance, particularly in special teams (powerplay and penalty killing), and most importantly, on defense, something that Penguins fans have been hoping for.

Pens fans remember what happened last time when the team hired a relatively unknown coach in Mike Johnston, but this feels a bit different. The hiring of Dan Muse signals a strategic shift for the Penguins toward development and special teams as they aim to become a Stanley Cup contender.

If fans didn’t think the Penguins were in rebuild mode, they should now. This is a pivotal time for the organization with as many draft picks as they have acquired, and who better to hire than someone with Muse’s coaching background, dedication to player development, and modern approach to the game. Muse will bring fresh energy and vision to the Penguins' organization that has needed it for quite some time. 

Up next, the 2025 entry draft, and then on to free agency. 

It’s official. A new era in Penguins hockey has begun.