Dan Muse and Kyle Dubas will hold a press conference this morning at 10 a.m. at PPG Paints Arena, Muse’s first time meeting with reporters since he was named the Penguins’ head coach. Dejan and I will both cover.
Some quick takeaways, with a full story to come later:
• Dubas didn't know Muse before this process. First meeting was a phone interview, then Zoom, then in-person.
• Muse's wife and four kids are here watching his press conference, he thanks them at the beginning. His kids have "Muse 25" Penguins jerseys.
• Muse called Pittsburgh an "amazing city." Called it "extremely humbling" to be with this organization.
• I asked Muse about his limited background as a player, with Division III college being the highest level he ever played, and if that's something he's ever had to overcome as a coach. He said he wouldn't change a thing about his journey, because it made him have the work ethic he has now. He also noted for the record that he wasn't a good DIII player.
• Muse: "We want to play with detail. ... We're going to be working on both sides of the puck."
• Muse on his coaching philosophy: "It's relationship-based." Spoke of the importance of getting to know each individual on a personal level to learn how to reach them.
• Dubas, on casting a wide net in the search, said he felt like it would have been a disservice to just go to someone he already knew for this job.
• Dubas said one thing that was appealing about Muse is that he is "very adaptable."
• Muse says he spoke with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang on Day 1 on the job and has since spoken with "95% of the players under contract."
• Dubas said video coach Madison Nikkel is "one of the best" in the league at his job and won't go anywhere. (He's currently in the room watching this presser.)
• The lone member of the assistant coaching staff who hasn't taken a job elsewhere yet is Andy Chiodo. Dubas said it'll be up to Muse where it goes with building out the staff. Muse has already met with Chiodo.
• Muse says he wants a "variety" of ideas and backgrounds in his assistant coaches.
• Muse said it was a "massive honor" to even get the phone call from Dubas to speak. "It's huge. It's the Pittsburgh Penguins."
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
3:45 am - 06.11.2025UptownFinal: Muse, Dubas availability
Dan Muse and Kyle Dubas will hold a press conference this morning at 10 a.m. at PPG Paints Arena, Muse’s first time meeting with reporters since he was named the Penguins’ head coach. Dejan and I will both cover.
Some quick takeaways, with a full story to come later:
• Dubas didn't know Muse before this process. First meeting was a phone interview, then Zoom, then in-person.
• Muse's wife and four kids are here watching his press conference, he thanks them at the beginning. His kids have "Muse 25" Penguins jerseys.
• Muse called Pittsburgh an "amazing city." Called it "extremely humbling" to be with this organization.
• I asked Muse about his limited background as a player, with Division III college being the highest level he ever played, and if that's something he's ever had to overcome as a coach. He said he wouldn't change a thing about his journey, because it made him have the work ethic he has now. He also noted for the record that he wasn't a good DIII player.
• Muse: "We want to play with detail. ... We're going to be working on both sides of the puck."
• Muse on his coaching philosophy: "It's relationship-based." Spoke of the importance of getting to know each individual on a personal level to learn how to reach them.
• Dubas, on casting a wide net in the search, said he felt like it would have been a disservice to just go to someone he already knew for this job.
• Dubas said one thing that was appealing about Muse is that he is "very adaptable."
• Muse says he spoke with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang on Day 1 on the job and has since spoken with "95% of the players under contract."
• Dubas said video coach Madison Nikkel is "one of the best" in the league at his job and won't go anywhere. (He's currently in the room watching this presser.)
• The lone member of the assistant coaching staff who hasn't taken a job elsewhere yet is Andy Chiodo. Dubas said it'll be up to Muse where it goes with building out the staff. Muse has already met with Chiodo.
• Muse says he wants a "variety" of ideas and backgrounds in his assistant coaches.
• Muse said it was a "massive honor" to even get the phone call from Dubas to speak. "It's huge. It's the Pittsburgh Penguins."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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