05 April 2014

Revels steps away from Tiger hockey

Keith Revels coached the Tigers to a school-record 23 wins  in 2013-14
After six years with the Tiger boys hockey team and 12 more with the girls' puck program, head coach Keith Revels has stepped away from hockey coaching duties at his alma mater.

Revels, a 1987 FHS grad who won the Oscar Lubke Award for his prep athletic success in hockey, track and cross country, said the timing was right for the move.

"We had a great year and we're leaving a very talented group for the next coach," he said.

"There's a documentary I watched recently called 'Undefeated'.  In it the coach talks about what he terms 'emotional capital' and how you only have so much in your possession.

"My tank feels a bit low right now and I have to make sure I save enough for the family at home... It was a hard decision but a week after making it, I'm still confident it was the right one."

Revels leaves behind an impressive record with Tiger hockey. He started as an assistant coach with the boys in 1994 and after two years there, started the fledgling girls' team in 1995.

In his 12 season with the girls, Revels compiled an impressive 218-85-10 record while winning four Missota Conference titles and taking three teams to the Class A state tournament. In 2007, Farmington was the state runner-up, losing 2-1 to Blake in the finals.

In 2008, Revels moved over to the boys program and gradually built it into a conference and section contender. In his six seasons the Tigers finished 77-78-6.

This winter the Tigers claimed their first Missota Conference title in 38 years, won a school-record 23 games (including an 18-game winning streak) and advanced to the Section 1AA title game for the first time in school history.

In addition to his long tenure with the Farmington hockey programs, Revels has also served as head boys and girls cross country coach and as an assistant coach for cross country and girls' golf.

He said he doesn't envision returning to a head coaching position but didn't rule out helping out in a lesser capacity.

"As an assistant coach you get to focus on the parts of the job you love," he said, "without the other, less desirable parts that are so taxing."