Trevor Large, a member of the Canisius coaching staff for the past three seasons and an 11-year coaching veteran in Atlantic Hockey, has been named head coach of the Golden Griffins hockey program, Director of Athletics Bill Maher announced Friday.
The seventh head coach in program history, and the fourth at the Division I level, Large was promoted after serving as an assistant on former head coach Dave Smith’s staff.
“During his time with our program, Trevor has shown all the qualities to be a successful Division I head coach,” Maher said. “He has a proven track record of recruiting and coaching student-athletes that are successful, both on the ice and in the classroom. He knows this program well, and I firmly believe he is the best choice to continue the growth of our hockey program. Our goal here at Canisius is to regularly compete for Atlantic Hockey Championships. I look forward to working with Trevor to achieve that goal.”
During his time on Main Street, Large has been instrumental in the program’s ascension within the Atlantic Hockey Conference, helping guide the squad to two appearances in the AHC Tournament semifinals as well as the program’s first regular season title in 2016-17.
Individually, Canisius has thrived over the past three seasons, with eight players earning a total of nine all-conference accolades. Large was influential in the arrival of graduate transfer Charles Williams, who became the program’s first All-American selection and the school’s first finalist for both the Hobey Baker and Mike Ritcher Awards during the 2016-17 campaign.
“I would like to thank Canisius College President John J. Hurley and Bill Maher for this tremendous opportunity,” Large said. “It has been my goal to become a Division I head coach and the opportunity to lead the Canisius hockey program is one I take great pride in.
“The culture at Canisius is truly special and I am honored to have the chance to remain a part of it. During my time with the program, we have achieved a great amount of success. I would like to thank Dave Smith, the student-athletes, and the support staff, for all their efforts to move the program forward. After a tremendous 2016-17 season, we are just scratching the surface of the potential of Griffs hockey. On behalf on my wife, Molly, and our children, Brody and Harper, we are excited to take this next step as part of the Canisius College community.”
Prior to joining Smith’s staff at Canisius, Large spent six seasons at Army West Point (2008-14), serving as the program’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under head coach Brian Riley. During his time with the Black Knights, Large worked with all facets of the program – forwards, defensemen, power play and penalty kill – helping coach six all-conference performers and three selections to the league’s all-rookie team. He also served as the team’s video coordinator.
Large began his coaching career as an assistant at American International College (2006-08) for long-time head coach Gary Wright. With the Yellow Jackets, Large helped coach a pair of all-conference honorees. He recruited the program’s first players from the prestigious United States Hockey League, as well as a three-time Atlantic Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
A four-year letterwinner at Ferris State (2000-04), Large totaled 19 goals and 14 assists in 129 career games under the guidance of veteran head coach Bob Daniels. The team’s Most Improved Player in 2001, he helped the Bulldogs capture the 2003 CCHA regular-season championship and first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
A native of Brampton, Ontario, Large earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Ferris State in 2004 and his MBA from AIC in 2008.
