ANN ARBOR, MICH. – Michigan announced the hiring of Mel Pearson as its men's hockey coach on Monday, bringing him back to Ann Arbor after six seasons behind the bench at Michigan Tech.

Pearson, 58, replaces Red Berenson, who retired earlier this month after more than three decades as Wolverines coach. Pearson was an assistant under Berenson for 23 years, from 1988 to 2011.

"I am very honored and proud for this opportunity to be the next head coach at Michigan," Pearson said Monday.

Pearson went 75-34-14 in his last three seasons at Michigan Tech, leading his alma mater to two NCAA tournament appearances. In that same span, the Huskies won a WCHA regular-season title and a conference tournament title. Overall, Pearson went 118-92-29, becoming the second winningest coach in Michigan Tech history.

"Mel has proven that you can win at Michigan Tech," athletic director Suzanne Sanregret said. "This is an opportunity for us to continue to grow and advance our historic program, and we will begin a national search for his replacement immediately."

Berenson led the Wolverines to a record 22 consecutive NCAA tournaments from 1991 to 2012 and won national championships in 1996 and 1998. But Michigan went 13-19-3 in 2016-17.

"I think Mel is a great fit for Michigan hockey," said Berenson, who is now an adviser to athletic director Warde Manuel. "He knows the program well from his time here, and I think he is exactly what Michigan hockey needs to be successful."

A native of Flin Flon, Manitoba, Pearson moved to the United States as a youth and played hockey at Edina East High School before making his way to Houghton. His father played for the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the old World Hockey Association.