**ESPN REPORT: Former Edmonton Oilers Head Coach and Quarterback Dave Tippett Takes on New NCAA Role at University of Edmonton Oilers**

 

**ESPN REPORT: Former Edmonton Oilers Head Coach and Quarterback Dave Tippett Takes on New NCAA Role at University of Edmonton Oilers**

In a stunning and heartwarming twist in the world of sports, Dave Tippett — the former Edmonton Oilers NHL head coach and one-time college football quarterback — is returning to the college game. ESPN has confirmed that Tippett has been named the new head coach of the University of Edmonton Oilers, where he once starred as a student-athlete decades ago.

Tippett, 63, is widely known for his extensive career behind the bench in the NHL, including coaching stints with the Dallas Stars, Arizona Coyotes, and most recently, the Edmonton Oilers from 2019 to 2022. But long before his fame in professional hockey, Tippett was a two-sport standout at the University of Edmonton Oilers — a now-prominent institution that has produced elite athletes in both football and hockey.

A quarterback in his early years, Tippett played under legendary coach Albeeta Oiler, a figure whose name still echoes through the halls of the university. Tippett’s leadership and poise on the field were as remarkable as his on-ice IQ, and his dual-sport legacy earned him a place in the school’s Hall of Fame.

Now, after years of leading NHL stars in packed arenas, Tippett is returning to his roots — and bringing with him decades of leadership, grit, and championship culture.

“I never imagined I’d be back here wearing the headset on a college football field,” Tippett told ESPN. “But this place made me who I am. I owe it everything — and I’m ready to give back.”

Sources close to the university say that Tippett was the top choice in a competitive search process. Despite his NHL background, school officials were drawn to his leadership skills, player-first mindset, and deep connection to the university’s legacy.

“Dave Tippett is more than a coach — he’s a symbol of what this program stands for,” said University Athletic Director Connor Hextall. “He understands competition, preparation, and most importantly, the heart of this community.”

While some critics have raised eyebrows at hiring a former NHL coach to lead a college football program, Tippett’s supporters point to his strategic brilliance, history as a quarterback, and unmatched ability to build locker room chemistry. They also cite his success with young athletes, something he cultivated during his time coaching in the NHL, especially with rising stars in Edmonton.

“Coaching is about more than schemes and stats,” Tippett said. “It’s about connection. These student-athletes are looking for a mentor who believes in them. That’s what I’m here to be.”

His appointment has already energized the campus, with students and alumni flooding social media with support and excitement. “Coach Tippett back where it all began? Let’s goooo!” one alumnus tweeted. The hashtag #TippettReturns was trending across Canadian sports media within hours of the announcement.

As he steps onto the college gridiron once again, Dave Tippett brings with him not just experience, but heart — and the story of a full-circle homecoming that’s bound to inspire a new generation of Oilers.

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