Coach Bill Beaney To Retire At Conclusion Of Academic Year

Middlebury head men's golf coach Bill Beaney will retire at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year, Director of Athletics Erin Quinn announced on Thursday, April 20. Beaney, who is in his 36th year of coaching at the College, stepped down from the helm of the men's ice hockey program in 2015 after 28 years.
 

"I know I speak for many people at Middlebury when I say how grateful I am for Bill Beaney's career," Quinn said. "He is the consummate coach and educator. This latest chapter as head men's golf coach has been successful and important by any standard, but is of course just one chapter in a long and storied career. While Coach Beaney's career has certainly been filled with more than a fair share of championships and accolades, his most important legacy to me is as a teacher and educator. At various times in his career, the medium has varied from women's soccer, women's golf, men's golf, and men's ice hockey. It also extended to his impactful J-term course, Coaching and Issues in Sports, and many informal and informational sessions with colleagues throughout the years."

 
During his tenure as the head men's golf coach, Beaney led the program to nine NESCAC Championships, most recently in 2021. He coached a pair of All-Americans, eight conference medalists, and played host to the NESCAC Championship match on eight occasions. Beaney earned New England Coach of the Year honors four times, and was deemed the NESCAC Coach of the Year on six occasions.
 

"Judy and I are grateful to Middlebury College for the opportunity to be a part of this special community," said Beaney. "To be allowed to teach and coach these exceptional young men and women has truly been an honor. We will forever cherish the many wonderful relationships and memories. Thank you."

 
Beaney served as the head coach of the men's ice hockey program from 1987 through 2015. During his 28 years at the helm, he guided the team to eight NCAA Championships and eight NESCAC titles. Beaney earned the Edward Jeremiah Award as National Coach of the Year four times, and was named the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) National Hockey Coach of the Year in 1989. When Beaney stepped down from the men's ice hockey program, he was the winningest Division III coach with a record of 602-260-59. His career victory total currently ranks 14th all-time among all NCAA divisions. 
 
Throughout his career, Beaney also coached at the national level, including stints with the United States Junior Olympic and Junior National teams. Most recently, Beaney served as the general manager for U.S. men's ice hockey team at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Lake Placid, New York. 
 
Beaney began his coaching career in 1974 at Bellows Free Academy in Vermont. After a five-year stint, he served as the head men's hockey coach at New England College from 1979 to 1987. When Beaney arrived at Middlebury, he coached the men's ice hockey team and the women's soccer squad, before taking over the helm of the men's golf program in 1988.