Before Red Berenson arrived in Ann Arbor in 1984, the Michigan hockey team had experienced a rough patch in its program under prior coach John Giordano. During Giordano's four years at the helm, he experienced a .477 winning percentage and the Wolverines were irrelevant on the national stage.

But once Berenson arrived, it didn't take too long to prove himself, becoming a powerhouse every year starting in the early 1990s. And after the announcement by Athletic Director David Brandon of Berenson's three-year contract earlier today at Junge Center, the Wolverines will have the security of knowing they'll have his services for yet a few more years.

"Red Berenson makes decisions based on careful thought," Brandon said. "This is a high-integrity guy who says what he means and does what he says. In this particular case, I couldn't be more thrilled that he's committed to be here for at least three more years."

Berenson mentioned that when he and the coaching staff recruit athletes, there is always the question of whether or not he'll be around for a few more years, considering he has usually been on a one-year contract. Over his 26-year coaching career, Berenson has also emphasized how much he encourages his players to stay their entire four years at Michigan, and since he wants his players' fully embracing the program with "both feet in the door," he said that all of his players should know that he's committed just as much.

"It's important that I'm all-in," Berenson said. "I think we need to get that message out. It's good for our program and it's good for recruiting."

Brandon stressed once he received the job as head of the athletic department, "the first order of the day was hockey" and he wanted to solidify the Michigan hockey coaching position for at least a few years, which he has successfully done.

Brandon additionally said that since Berenson has found so much success during his illustrious career, he won't have to worry about hockey at all in the next few years.

And after last season's late turnaround, in which the Wolverines overcame injuries and adversity to win the CCHA Tournament and came one goal shy of making it to the Frozen Four in Detroit, Brandon said he has more reason to believe that Red Berenson is one of the best coaches in college hockey.

"Good coaches, great coaches, use that adversity to achieve something important," Brandon said. "When the world's telling you how your program has imploded, that's when great coaches show why they're great, or not so great coaches come up with all types of excuses why they can't achieve ... The level they were playing at, at the end of the season, was a great example of what Red Berenson is all about."