Brendan Riley was named head coach of LIU's men’s ice hockey program on April 9, 2025 as the second head coach in program history. Riley joined LIU after four seasons on the coaching staff at American International College.
Riley joined AIC in July of 2021 as the team’s Director of Hockey Operations. After one season in that role, Riley was promoted to assistant coach. He helped lead AIC to Atlantic Hockey Association regular season and tournament championships in 2022.
As a player, Riley was a four-year member of Mercyhurst University’s team from 2016-2020. He served as an alternate captain during his senior season and played 91 total games for the Lakers.
Riley comes from a strong lineage of hockey coaches. His grandfather, Jack Riley, served as head coach at Army West Point for 36 years and famously led the United States Olympic team to the gold medal at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics. His father, Brian Riley, is currently Army’s head coach, his brother, Jack Riley, is currently an assistant at Sacred Heart University, his uncle Rob Riley, is also the former head coach at Army, and his cousin Brett Riley is currently the head coach at Ferris State University.
