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Tom Anastos to Step Down as MSU Hockey Coach

Scott Pohl / WKAR-MSU

Tom Anastos is stepping down as head coach of the MSU hockey program. 

Michigan State athletics director Mark Hollis said in a statement that Anastos will step down, effective immediately. Assistant coach Tom Newton will serve as interim head coach while a national search is conducted to replace Anastos.

"When I first became head coach I established my own timeline for the program's development. After a review of our season, and in spite of the progress we have made in so many areas, we have not met my expectations," said Anastos in a statement. "As a leader, I believe that you must always make every decision based on what's in the overall best interests of the program, and never put personal interests first. After lengthy conversations with Mark Hollis, I am stepping down from my role to help facilitate a change in leadership and direction for Spartan hockey."

"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity and support provided by our administration, especially that of Mark Hollis and President Simon. Michigan State is a special place to me and my family, and what makes it so special are its people. I appreciate the support and relationships that I've developed with the fans, boosters, alumni and media. I have loved working with our incredible group of coaches throughout the department, the most passionate and hardest working group of athletic administrators in all of college athletics, and most of all, the hockey coaches, support staff and student-athletes."

Anastos was a player at Michigan State from 1981-85 and later served as an assistant coach under Ron Mason from 1990-92. He was hired as just the sixth head coach in MSU hockey history in 2011 after serving as Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner for 13 years. 

Anastos was 78-122-24 in six seasons as head coach at Michigan State and had the fewest wins of any NCAA Division I school in the state of Michigan during his tenure. 

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