MSU announces hiring of new assistant coaches Chris Luongo and Joe Exter

By @MichaelCaples –

Danton Cole is bringing one his NTDP assistant coaches with him to East Lansing.

Michigan State announced today that the Spartans have hired Chris Luongo to be an assistant coach for the new Spartan hockey regime, as well as Joe Exter from Ohio State.

“I am eager to have both Chris and Joe join our staff here at Michigan State,” Cole said in a release. “It is an exciting day, and I know they are ready to be a part of continuing the Spartan hockey tradition of excellence. Both are outstanding coaches, great fathers and exceptional role models for our student-athletes.

“Chris and I have worked together several times since we were teammates at MSU. He is an incredibly driven coach with a passion for teaching and helping young men grow on and off the ice. His knowledge and work ethic will benefit both our student-athletes and the university.

“Joe brings a tremendous amount of experience in both the Big Ten Conference and college hockey to MSU. He is a very bright and hardworking coach that will be a great addition to our Spartan family.”

The new hires will join current director of hockey operations Brad Fast and volunteer goaltending coach Jason Muzzatti to complete the MSU coaching staff. Tom Newton and Kelly Miller will no longer be with the program.

Luongo, a Detroit native who played with Cole from 1985-89 at Michigan State, returns to his alma mater to coach alongside Cole after doing so for the last two years with the NTDP in Plymouth.

“For so many people, Spartan Hockey holds a place in their heart that is very special, including me,” Luongo said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to have an opportunity to have a direct impact on the Green and White as a member of the Spartan Hockey staff. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

Exter comes to East Lansing after working for the Ohio State Buckeyes for the last six seasons. Prior to that, he too worked at the NTDP, from 2007-11.

“I consider it a privilege to be a part of the Spartan Hockey family,” Exter said. “It is with great excitement that I look forward to working with Coach Cole and the entire staff. Michigan State has a long, storied hockey tradition and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”