Ohio State’s women’s hockey program has added former NHL defenseman Jack Johnson as associate head coach, taking over for James Wisniewski as he left to be closer to family; Johnson, who retired in January 2026 after a 19-season career and last scouted for the Vancouver Canucks, will work under head coach Nadine Muzerall to bolster recruiting and stabilize a program that has won national titles but missed the postseason recently. Johnson, a Michigan alum who played 1,228 NHL games and won a 2022 Stanley Cup with Colorado, is praised by Muzerall for his leadership and “family” fit within OSU’s culture. OSU’s move follows extensive experience on Johnson’s resume, including leadership roles with Team USA and a storied college and NHL career, and comes as the program aims to sustain its success and competitiveness. In related college sports context, SEC Media Days highlighted the conference’s depth while the Big Ten readies its own media days in Chicago to showcase depth, depth that Saban argued defines a conference’s strength rather than national championships alone. Johnson’s hiring is part of a broader trend of former players transitioning to coaching roles at the college level, expanding OSU’s staff as the team pursues continued national contention, with Wisniewski’s departure cited as the catalyst for Johnson’s arrival.