LONDON, Ont. - The University of Western Ontario is pleased to introduce Chris Higgins as the new head coach of the Western Mustangs women's hockey team.

Higgins, a statistics professor with the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western, said he is excited about the opportunity.

"Paul Cook has done an outstanding job putting together the foundation of this team," Higgins said. "I hope to build on this foundation and take the team to the next level."

Therese Quigley, the Director of Sports and Recreation Services at The University of Western Ontario, said Higgins will carry on with the strong work of Cook, who previously served as the head coach for seven seasons.

“With his ties already in the hockey community, proven success in coaching and great relationships on campus through his role in Ivey, Chris was the ideal candidate for this position,” said Quigley. “We are excited to see Chris take the opportunity and look forward to watching him bring the Mustangs women’s hockey team to the next level.”

Higgins has his advanced coaching certification and has won five OWHA Provincial Medals in 17 years coaching experience in women’s hockey.

An experienced junior- and minor-league women's hockey coach in London, Higgins was the women's team's associate coach during the varsity team's inaugural season, and he also served as an assistant coach with the Mustangs men's team, between 2006-2008 on a full-time basis, and on a part-time basis until 2010.

Higgins was a founding executive member of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League and as a coach has graduated over 20 players to NCCA and CIS hockey programs.