Doc DelCastillo, head coach of the UAF hockey team, announced his resignation today, ending the second-shortest tenure in UAF hockey history.

"I enjoyed my year here at UAF," DelCastillo said at a news conference. "However, after talking it over with my wife, our family has decided to pursue other opportunities."

DelCastillo led UAF to a record of 9-21-5 overall and 8-16-4 for ninth place in the 12-team Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The season ended March 9 with a 2-1 triple-overtime loss to Nebraska-Omaha in the deciding game of a best-of-three, first-round playoff series in Omaha.

DelCastillo's departure marks the second straight year that UAF athletic director Forrest Karr will need to replace the head coach of one of the university's marquee teams.

Only Tim Waggoner, who coached UAF in its inaugural season of 1979-80, compiling a 3-10-0 record, had a shorter tenure.

"I've appreciated the energy that Doc brought to the program," said Karr.

Karr said assistant coach Dallas Ferguson will serve as interim head coach until a permanent head coach is selected.

"We've got a great group of student-athletes returning next year, and as we look ahead to bringing a new permanent head coach onboard, we are all focused on an exciting future for the program," said Karr.

DelCastillo was an assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha from 2002 to 2007.

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