In an announcement made by Director of Athletics John McCutcheon on Tuesday, longtime Massachusetts hockey coach Don Cahoon has stepped down from his post.

“Through the course of our recent conversations, coach Cahoon and I mutually agreed that it would be in the program’s best interest for him to take this action at this time,” McCutcheon said in a press release. “I want to thank coach Cahoon for his many contributions to UMass and the community. He has positioned the program well for future success, both on and off the ice, and we are excited to continue to build on the foundation that he has put in place.”

Cahoon exits his post after 12 seasons with the Minutemen. He compiled a 166-225-42 record in his career and his 166 victories are good for the most in program history. Cahoon’s most notable accomplishments also include taking UMass to its highest national ranking at No. 5 in 2007-08 and to the program’s first ever berth in the NCAA tournament in 2006-07.

“It’s been an honor to coach and work with so many fine student-athletes over the last 12 years here at UMass,” Cahoon said in the press release. “Their efforts and the efforts of the faculty, staff and community members will be fond memories of my time here at Massachusetts. I look forward to the continued growth and development of this program so that it will sustain itself at the most elite level within Hockey East. The privilege has been all mine.”

McCutcheon said a search for the next head coach will begin immediately.

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Stephen Hewitt can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @steve_hewitt.