Matt Greene Joins Arizona State Hockey Staff
The former Kings defenseman reunites with head coach Dave Hakstol in Tempe.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Hockey
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Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene has accepted an assistant coaching role at Arizona State University. He will serve on the staff of head coach Dave Hakstol.
Why it matters
The hire reunites Greene with Hakstol, who previously coached him at North Dakota during the 2004-05 season. Greene brings extensive experience from his playing career and recent front-office roles to the Sun Devils program.
Greene played 464 regular-season and 61 postseason games for the Los Angeles Kings during his career. He also spent four years working as a professional scout for the organization.
The players
Matt Greene
He is a former NHL defenseman who won two Stanley Cup Championships as a member of the Los Angeles Kings.
Dave Hakstol
He is the head coach at Arizona State University who previously coached at the collegiate and professional levels.
The details
Greene departs the Kings after serving as a professional scout since 2017 and transitioning into a player development role in 2021. He also gained recent experience on the Kings NHL coaching staff, where he served on an interim basis in March 2026.
Timeline
Matt Greene played for Dave Hakstol at North Dakota during the 2004-05 season.
North Dakota advanced to the National Championship game in 2005.
The Los Angeles Kings acquired Matt Greene in 2008.
Greene joined the Los Angeles Kings front office in 2017.
Greene served on the Kings NHL staff on an interim basis in March 2026.
Season Trajectory
This appointment marks a significant addition to the Sun Devils staff, mirroring the collaborative dynamic between Greene and Hakstol from their 2004-05 season at North Dakota. The hire aims to strengthen player development as the program navigates its competitive schedule.
Sun Devils players will benefit from the addition of a two-time Stanley Cup champion to the coaching rotation. The move shifts the leadership dynamic for the current roster as the team looks to integrate his defensive expertise.
The takeaway
Greene brings deep organizational knowledge from his time as a Kings scout to the collegiate level. His transition highlights the growing trend of veteran NHL players moving into coaching roles to mentor the next generation of talent.
Further reading
For more on local college sports developments, check the Hockey section.
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