Western Michigan promotes assistant coaches

Pat Ferschweiler and Rob Facca have been promoted to associate head coach, Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray announced Friday.

The duo has helped WMU to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and a CCHA Tournament title since being hired in 2010 -- by far the most successful three-year run in the program's history.

"Rob and Pat have been vital to the resurgence and continuing success of Bronco hockey," Murray said in a statement released by the school. "Through the hard work and dedication they have shown to this program they have earned these titles and I am very happy for them."

Ferschweiler and Facca were hired in 2010 by then-head coach Jeff Blashill, who departed for the Detroit Red Wings after one season. The NHL veteran Murray took over the program the following season and made a point then to publicly affirm Ferschweiler and Facca as his assistants -- a bond that has only gotten stronger since.

Ferschweiler, a WMU alum who captained the 1992-93 Broncos, is known as a defensive specialist. He's helped develop Danny DeKeyser, Luke Witkowski and Matt Tennyson -- all of whom are playing in NHL organizations. He started the Russell Stover Midget program in Kansas City before coming back to Kalamazoo.

Facca is a recruiting specialist and runs the team's power play. He was an assistant coach at Northern Michigan under Walt Kyle prior to his arrival at WMU.

The Broncos host Western Ontario in an exhibition game Oct. 5 and open the regular season at Notre Dame on Oct. 11.