Brent Darnell

Biography

Brent Darnell enters his third season on the coaching staff in 2025-26. Darnell came to the Heights prior to the 2023-24 season after serving as the assistant director of player personnel for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. Darnell made his IIHF coaching debut as an assistant coach with the U.S. Under-18 Team at the 2023 U18 World Championships in Switzerland, where Team USA captured the gold medal in overtime against Sweden. He coached a total of six incoming Eagles, including five 2023 NHL Draft selections, at the U18 World Championships. Darnell joined the USNTDP in 2019 and served two seasons as an assistant coach for the Under-17 and Under-18 squads. He previously served as the senior director of education for College Hockey, Inc. A native of Canton, Michigan, Darnell played four collegiate seasons at Michigan State and skated in 137 career games for the Spartans before graduating in 2015. He went on to play professionally with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors that season.