(LEBANON, Ill., August 16) - McKendree University director of athletics Chuck Brueggemann announced on Wednesday that Brett DeNap has been named as the head coach for the men's D3 hockey program for the Bearcats. DeNap takes over for Derek Pallardy, who now serves as the head coach of the McKendree women's hockey program. 

DeNap, a native of Granite City, Ill., is no stranger to McKendree as he served as a member of the Bearcats hockey and golf teams while attending the University in 2011-12. DeNap went on to play at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he served as the team captain and president of the Cougars' program. He earned his bachelor's degree from SIUE as well as a master's degree from Lindenwood University.

Before his return to McKendree, DeNap spent an extensive amount of time coaching for several programs including Lindenwood University-Belleville, Marian University, and the Sean Skinner Hockey Academy. DeNap spent the past year in Fond du Lac, Wis., as the head coach for the Marian University's men's and women's golf teams as well as the ACHA D2 hockey program during its inaugural season. In Marian University's inaugural season at the ACHA D2 level, DeNap coached the team to a 19-4 record earning the Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) Championship and a trip to the ACHA Central Regionals. His successes both on the ice and on the golf course earned DeNap the Marian University Coach of the Year award.

While serving as the head coach for three programs at Marian, DeNap also served as the NCAA director of player development for the Marian men's ice hockey team as well as the head coach at the hockey factory development program focusing on skill development for kids aged 8-18.

Prior to his arrival at Marian, DeNap served as the men's ice hockey assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Lindenwood University-Belleville. He helped lead the Lynx to a No. 1 ranking in American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) in D2 in 2015-16, along with a national tournament appearance.

In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, DeNap has served as a skills coach for the Sean Skinner Hockey Academy, leading on and off-ice classes focusing on skill development and training techniques for young hockey players since 2013.

DeNap is not only an accomplished hockey player, but a very successful golfer as well. He served as the captain of the Lindenwood-Belleville golf team where he was a two-time All-American, Academic All-American, and led the team to the 2011 USCAA National Championship.

"It's a dream come true," said DeNap. "McKendree did so much for me as a player and as a person, so I'm excited to have the opportunity to do the same for the program and all of the players coming through now."

DeNap takes over the McKendree men's D3 hockey program that won four contests in 2016-17. The Bearcats are scheduled to begin their 2017-18 D3 season on Friday, Sept. 22 at home against Northern Illinois University. McKendree will begin its second season playing its home contests at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in nearby O'Fallon.