University of Vermont hockey coach Todd Woodcroft fired over text messages

The University of Vermont announced the firing of men’s ice hockey head coach Todd Woodcroft on Tuesday.

Woodcroft, who coached the Catamounts for three seasons, was the subject of a university investigation for “inappropriate” text messages he allegedly exchanged with a student.

“After reviewing the results of an investigation conducted this week by UVM’s Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, it is clear that Coach Woodcroft did not meet those expectations,” Vermont athletic director Jeff Schulman said in a statement. “The specific conduct that led to the investigation involved inappropriate text messages with a UVM student on multiple occasions that did not adhere to professional boundaries.”

According to the report The Athletic’s Katie StrangWoodcroft’s investigation may have been on for some time now.”

Woodcroft attorney Andrew Miltenberg, made a statement to reporters who dispute the university’s findings.

“We strongly disagree with the process and findings in a proceeding that lacked fundamental fairness and due process,” Miltenberg said in a statement. “We strongly believe that the university’s decision was against the facts and the law. We intend to do justice to Mr. Woodcroft, who has been an outstanding coach and community advocate for over two decades.

Woodcroft coached the University of Vermont to a 20-55-9 record and one playoff victory in his three years at the helm. Previously, he worked for five years in various positions in the NHL and in several other professional teams. His brother Jay is the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

Vermont named assistant coach Steve Weidler as the team’s interim head coach for the upcoming season.

“The team and I have tremendous confidence in Coach Wiedler’s ability to lead our program,” Schulman said in a statement. “He has played an important role in the recruitment and development of our current players and will step into this important role with the full support of our team and his athletic department colleagues.”