Kurt Kleinendorst out as head hockey coach at Alabama-Huntsville

The coaching carousel at Alabama-Huntsville appears to still be spinning. After just one year behind the bench of the Chargers program, Kurt Kleinendorst has resigned.

The program appeared to be heading for more solid footing with the announcement it would be joining the new WCHA this fall. The program had been an independent for three seasons after College Hockey America (CHA) folded.

Chris Luongo had preceded Kleinendorst for two seasons. Before that it was Danton Cole who served as the head coach for three years following the retirement of longtime head coach Doug Ross.

Kleinendorst was previously an assistant coach in the New Jersey Devils organization, as well as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Lowell Devils. Most recently, prior to his one-year stint in Hutsville, the Cedar Rapids, Minn. native had been the head coach of the Binghamton Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. Kleinendorst played his college hockey at Providence for Lou Lamoriello before embarking on a minor pro career as a player.

Kleinendorst told ESPN's Craig Custance that he wanted to return to coaching professional hockey, and chose to resign rather than hunting for another job while still employed by UAH.

The search for a new coach will begin immediately. According to sources, there is no set time frame to have a new coach in place.

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