After an extensive search lasting over a month, the Pittsburgh Penguins have finally found a successor to Mike Sullivan as head coach. On Wednesday, the team announced Dan Muse as the 23rd head coach in their history. Muse comes from the New York Rangers, where he served as an assistant coach during the last two seasons (2023-25), having joined them shortly after Sullivan was named their head coach on May 2nd.
Before his tenure with the Rangers, Muse was an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators from 2017 to 2020, primarily focusing on managing the penalty kill unit. Penguins’ president and general manager Kyle Dubas stated that while many candidates seemed suitable, Muse stood out due to his player development skills, consistent success as a head coach at various levels, and his effective leadership of special teams in both Nashville and New York. Dubas added that Muse’s detailed approach and vision make him the ideal choice to lead the team forward.
At 42 years old, Muse began coaching at a high level in 2009 as an assistant with Yale men’s ice hockey, followed by a head coaching role with the USHL’s Chicago Steel from 2015 to 2017. Between 2020 and 2023, he was heavily involved with USA Hockey, helping lead the Under-18 World Championship team to a gold medal in 2023. He also shares a connection with Penguins’ forward prospect Rutger McGroarty, having coached him during his time in the USNTDP program.
Meanwhile, former Penguin and head coach Mike Sullivan left Pittsburgh on April 28th to take on the head coaching role with the New York Rangers for the 2025-26 season. Muse’s appointment signals a fresh era for Pittsburgh’s bench.
Fan Take: This coaching change represents a significant moment for Penguins fans eager to see a new direction and renewed energy behind the bench. Dan Muse’s proven ability to develop talent and his success at various levels could redefine the team’s competitiveness in the NHL and excite fans about the future of hockey in Pittsburgh.
