HARTLAND — Coaching hockey at Hartland High School was Rick Gadwa’s dream job and, to a certain extent, still is.
But after building one of the top programs in Michigan during his 14 years with the Eagles, Gadwa wants to see how far he can go in his coaching career while he still has the chance.
The worst-kept secret in Michigan high school hockey is finally out of the bag, with Gadwa announcing his resignation as Hartland’s coach to pursue other opportunities.
The possibility Gadwa was leaving Hartland was the hot rumor swirling around at the state finals last month. He even raised the possibility with his players in January to avoid a possible distraction if word leaked before the state playoffs.
Hartland athletic director Brian Hassler gave Gadwa time to reconsider before a letter of resignation was submitted late last week.
At age 40, Gadwa has an undisclosed coaching opportunity outside of high school hockey next season that could lead to bigger things. He didn’t want to have regrets years from now that he didn’t step outside of his comfort zone at Hartland to advance in his career.
It was the toughest decision he’s ever made.
“Honestly, it was too difficult,” said Gadwa, a 2003 Hartland graduate who played for the Eagles. “I have no shame in admitting a lot of emotions went through the decision to do it. I still second guess it daily. I don’t think it’s honestly anything I’m completely OK with.
“There’s a big chunk of me that’s going to stay put right in Hartland. I don’t think I ever get to leave. A decision like this, you’ve got to make them and you live with them. Especially on the coaching side of things, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through.”
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Gadwa is one of the most successful high school coaches in Livingston County history.
He compiled a 295-83-15 record with nine 20-win seasons, winning state Division 2 championships in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Hartland established itself as a burgeoning state power by reaching the Division 2 finals in his second and third seasons, losing to Livonia Stevenson in 2013 and Trenton in 2014.
His three state championships tie him for the second most by a coach in county history. Brighton’s Paul Moggach has the record with five hockey state championships. Brighton’s Bob Ritsema and Pinckney’s Tom Carney also have three state titles, both in cross country.
Only four other coaches have won two state championships.
“I never expected it to happen as early as it did,” Gadwa said. “A very strong mentor for me, a guy who coached me growing up, told me from the very beginning it takes five years to build a program. I remember laughing with him after year two and saying, ‘Hey, we did it in year two.’ I know what he meant, because it wasn’t until year five when you really felt like now you have some tradition. It’s built into your program and things start to carry over, not just from the coach, but ...
