Meet the Coaches

Senior Arena Director: Kevin Ackley

Kevin grew up in MN and was an all-state selection as a goaltender. After High School, Kevin joined the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks of the USHL for the 1999-2000 season. He then moved to the Chicago Steel in the USHL for the 2000-2001 season earning All-Star recognition and gained a Scholarship to play Division I hockey at St. Lawrence University. 

While at SLU Kevin was named Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year during his Freshman and Sophomore years. 

After graduation in 2006, Kevin joined Miami as Event/Program Manager and was Head Coach/GM for Miami's ACHA DII men's team, started Jr. Redhawks Learn to Play Hockey, and managed Goggins Intramural programs. Currently, Kevin is Goggin Ice Center Sr. Director, supporting and overseeing all aspects of Goggin Ice Center, and is the Director of Miami Hockey School.

During Kevin's college career, he worked as a goalie instructor at goalie school/camps with Vladislav Triekiak former Russian National team goalie, Chicago Blackhawk goalie coach, and current President of the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia. Kevin also worked with Rick St. Croix, a former Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leaf, and Dallas Star Goalie coach. While at Miami Kevin has worked with Mitch Korn, Islanders Director of Goaltending, both in a team camp setting and in a goalie camp setting. 

In addition to his goalie instruction experience, Kevin has trained USA Hockey coaches as a coaches clinic presenter, oversaw Miami Hockey School since 2007, Overseen the expansion of Miami Youth Hockey, President of multiple youth leagues, instructed at USA Hockey National Player Development camps, coached at the ACHA Men's DII, High School, Tier I youth, Tier II youth, Learn to Play Hockey, and Rec team level teams.

“I feel we can have an impact on developing young people into great hockey players and more importantly great people. I am biased, but I believe young hockey players learn more life lessons through our game than any others.”

Assistant Director Ice Hockey Player Development: Zach Sens

Zach Sens is entering his third season at Miami University as the Assistant Director of Ice Hockey. Zach is an Oxford, Ohio native who attended Talawanda High School and went on to study at Miami University. Zach has previously coached for Miami Youth Hockey as their 14UAA coach for three seasons. 

Zach then moved on to coach Talawanda High School for two seasons, being named Coach of the Year for the State of Ohio in his last season. 

He then went on to coach at Trine University as their Men's club hockey coach leading them to their first-ever national tournament appearance. Most recently, Zach is entering his third season as the head coach of the Miami Jr. Redhawks High School team.

Assistant Director for Sales and Student Engagement: Kaitlyn Johnson

Kaitlyn Johnson was formerly on staff as an Intern for Programming after completing her collegiate playing career at Marian University in Wisconsin.

Johnson served as the associate head coach for Miami's Division I ACHA Women's Hockey Team and helped lead the team to two National Titles in 2016 and 2017. She has served on the staff of multiple USA Hockey camps along with Miami Hockey School.

Johnson joined the Lindenwood-Bellville coaching staff in 2017-19 and helped guide the Lynks to a National Championship appearance. She then returned to Miami to head the women's team from 2019-2022 and is now coaching the Miami Jr.Redhawks 10u travel team.