Former Red Wings Assistant Ferschweiler New Coach At Western Michigan

Pat Ferschweiler was an assistant coach for three seasons under Jeff Blashill with the Detroit Red Wings. He’s now the new head coach of the Western Michigan Broncos. Ferschweiler is replacing ex-NHL head coach Andy Murray, who is stepping down after 10 years in charge of the team.

Ferschweiler served as a Red Wings assistant coach for four seasons from 2015-19. He’d previously worked for Blashill as his assistant at Western Michigan and with AHL Grand Rapids.

“I think we all have to have one guy who believes in us and Blash, I’m lucky enough that he believed in me,” Ferschweiler told the Rink Live podcast of his time with the Wings. “What an amazing experience for me to be able to coach the best players in the world.

“Whatever we can think of, these guys can do. And they can do it the next shift. We don’t have to practice it for a week.”

Ferschweiler has spent the past two seasons as Western Michigan’s associate head coach.

Former WMU Player

“I’m excited to be able to hand the reins of our Bronco hockey team over to one of our own,” Western Michigan athletic director Kathy Beauregard said in a statement. “Pat showed his leadership qualities as a player for the Broncos, as an assistant coach and as our associate head coach.

“He is a great teacher of the game and has coached at all levels under some outstanding mentors, including Andy Murray and Jeff Blashill.”

During his time with the Red Wings, Ferschweiler is probably best remembered as the guy who was mistakenly confused for Blashill by NHL on NBC analyst Pierre McGuire. As McGuire moved behind the bench for an in-game interview at Joe Louis Arena, he grabbed Ferschweiler. He was immediately pointing McGuire in Blashill’s direction.

Evidently, all bald guys look the same, even to other bald guys.

“I hear it all the time,” Ferschweiler told the Rink Live podcast. “We all look alike.”