Bio

Dean Fuller:  Head Coach (40th Season; 590-356-65)

Dean Fuller is in his 40th season as the head coach of the Fitchburg State ice hockey team. He has compiled an overall record of 590-365-65 during his 39 seasons at the helm of the Falcons, while leading the Falcons to several post-season berths.

Over his time, Fuller has etched his name in the NCAA record books, ranking third in career wins among all-active Division III coaches and seventh among all Division III coaches. His .616 career winning percentage also stacks up strong, ranking 31st all-time among Division I, II and III coaches.

This past season, Fuller guided the Green and Gold to an overall record of 12-11-3 and a 9-6-3 clip within conference play as the Falcons captured the third seed in the MASCAC Ice Hockey post-season tournament. Coach Fuller also continued to add to his impressive coaching resume during the season as Dean coached in his 1000th career game, becoming just the second coach in NCAA DIII ice hockey history to reach that milestone.

During the 2021-22 campaign, Dean led the Falcons to the an overall record of 17-6-1 and a 14-3-1 mark in MASCAC player, en-route to earning the second seed in the MASCAC Ice Hockey post-season tournament. In addition, Fuller was selected MASCAC Coach of the Year during the 2021-22 campaign.

in the 2018-19 seascon, Dean led the Green and Gold to the fifth seed in the MASCAC post-season tournament, posting an overall record of 12-12-2 and a 9-7-2 mark within conference play, while also coaching the MASCAC Ice Player of the Year.

During the 2017-18 campaign, Coach Fuller guided the Green and Gold to an overall record of 18-7-3 and an 11-4-3 mark in the MASCAC as the Falcons secured the second seed in the 2017-18 MASCAC Ice Hockey post-season tournament. In the tournament, Fuller led the Falcons to a 2-0 triumph over the fourth seeded Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth in the MASCAC Ice Hockey Championship Game as Fitchburg State earned its first ever bid into the NCAA DIII Ice Hockey Championship Tournament.

Over the 2016-17 season, Fuller led the Falcons to an overall record of 11-15-1 and a 7-10-1 clip in the MASCAC, en-route to claiming the third seed in the  MASCAC ice hockey tournament, while also coaching the reigning MASCAC Ice Hockey Rookie of the Year.

During the 2014-15 season, Fuller guided the Falcons to an overall record of 11-14-2 and a 7-9-2 clip in the MASCAC, en-route to claiming the third seed in the 2015-16 MASCAC ice hockey tournament. Coach Fuller also witnessed history, notching his 500th career coaching victory with a 6-2 win over Franklin Pierce University on December 5th.

During the 2010-11 campaign, Fuller led Fitchburg State to an overall record of 18-9-1 and the 2010-11 MASCAC Tournament Championship crown. The fourth-seeded Falcons defeated second-seeded Salem State 6-5 in overtime on the road. During the run, Fitchburg State named three players to the MASCAC All-Conference team, including one member to the New England DIII All-Star team. 

The 2009-10 season also proved to be very successful for Fuller and the Falcons as Fitchburg State captured the MASCAC regular season crown. Fitchburg State boasted an overall record of 20-6-1, while posting a 14-4-0 clip in the newly created MASCAC Conference. The Falcons advanced to the MASCAC Championship game, falling to Salem State, 2-1 in overtime. Fuller named four players to the MASCAC All-Conference team, while earning 2010 MASCAC Coach of the Year honors.

Fuller has built and guided a Falcon program, which has earned a reputation as one of the top programs in New England. Under Fuller's direction, the Falcons have earned a post-season trip in each of his 36 seasons behind the bench, while vying for the conference championship 11 times. During their 11 trips to the conference finals, the Falcons have emerged victorious seven times under Fuller.  

Fuller, a former standout for the Falcons ice hockey squad, has been a major part of Fitchburg State hockey since 1978. Before taking the helm in 1984, Fuller served as an assistant coach  under legendary coach, Jim Gorman.

A former teacher at Fitchburg High School, Fuller resides in Fitchburg, Mass. He has three children, Matt, Amy and Chris.