Brown names Tom Upton new head coach

Upton will finish the 2025-26 season with UMass

Brown announced the hiring of Tom Upton as its next head coach on Monday morning.

Upton is currently an assistant coach at UMass and will remain with the Minutemen through the 2025–26 season before assuming his duties at Brown. He has spent the past four seasons in Amherst, following previous stops as a head coach with the Madison Capitols (USHL) and as an assistant at Mercyhurst.

“I am very grateful and honored for the opportunity to be the next head men’s hockey coach at Brown University,” Upton said. “I would like to thank Grace Calhoun, Jake Silverman, and everyone on the search committee for their diligence throughout the process. I am excited to meet and connect with our current players, alumni, and recruits.

“Our goal is to consistently compete for an ECAC championship, and it starts with creating and implementing a winning culture and environment. We want our players pushed and developed every day. I believe we have all the resources to create a winning program. We have the resources for players to develop as athletes, compete in one of the top NCAA Division I Hockey conferences, and earn an elite education. I am excited to get to work!”

Upton replaces Brendan Whittet, who announced he was stepping down last month to take a family medical leave; he coached his final game behind the Brown bench two weeks ago. Upon his return to the university, Whittet will transition into an administrative role within the athletic department.

A former player at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point from 2006–10, Upton began his coaching career at his alma mater. During his three seasons as an assistant coach from 2010–13, he helped recruit teams that captured one national championship and finished as national runners-up twice.

“Everyone at UMass Hockey is ecstatic for Tommy,” UMass head coach Greg Carvel said. “I hired Tommy four years ago because I needed someone to help me build culture and connection throughout our program. He is extraordinary at holding players accountable while earning their trust and connecting with them. I will really miss working with him closely and will forever be grateful for what he has done for me and our UMass hockey program. Tommy has a ton of experience throughout every level of amateur hockey, and he is ready for this next challenge.”