2025-2026 Coaching Staff

Joe Augustine begins his 36th season as head coach at the University of Rhode Island, bringing more than 46 years of experience as both a player and coach. Under his leadership, Rhode Island has posted a record of 744-367-81, including 34 winning seasons and an ACHA National Championship in 2006. Augustine is a two-time ACHA Men’s Division I Coach of the Year (2004-05, 2005-06), was named Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year in 2003-04, and earned ESCHL Coach of the Year honors in both 2014-15 and 2021-22. He also coached internationally, serving as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2006 World University Games in Turin, Italy, and as head coach for Team USA at the 2009 Games in Harbin, China.

Augustine has reached several historic milestones during his career at URI. He earned his 500th career win on January 4, 2013, against West Chester University, coached his 1000th game on January 20, 2019, against Buffalo, and achieved his 700th win in February 2023 with a 4-3 playoff victory over Drexel. With 721 victories, he became the winningest coach in URI history, surpassing the legendary Frank Keaney.

His coaching career began in 1983 as an assistant at Tolman High School in Pawtucket, RI, followed by two years as head coach at Shea High School, where he led the Raiders to a 19-1 record and both division and state titles. Augustine then served as an assistant coach at Brown University and as head coach at the Community College of Rhode Island before joining URI in 1989. He also worked as a pro advanced scout for the Cornwall Aces (AHL), affiliate of the Quebec Nordiques, while serving on the organizational committee for the 1995 NCAA Ice Hockey Tournament in Providence.

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Augustine played hockey at Saint Rita High School, where he was later inducted into the Saint Rita Hall of Fame (2013). He went on to skate for Austin (USHL), earning a spot on the U.S. Jr. All-American Team and representing Team USA in the World Junior Tournament in Winnipeg.

In 1976, Augustine was drafted by both the Atlanta Flames (NHL) and the Cleveland Crusaders (WHA) but chose to attend Boston College, where he helped the Eagles to a Beanpot Championship (1976), an ECAC title, and a runner-up finish in the 1978 NCAA Tournament. Over three seasons, he scored 27 goals and 77 assists for 104 points, becoming one of only six defensemen in program history to surpass 100 career points. In recognition of his outstanding collegiate career, he was inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame in 2005. Most recently, in August 2025, Augustine was inducted into the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame.

Augustine went on to play six professional seasons with the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils organizations. He earned his B.S. in Public Administration during the off-season.

Joe Augustine resides in North Scituate, RI, with his wife Jewell, a former Ice Capades skater. Their son Jon and daughter Jaclyn both live in Rhode Island.

Former AHL and NHL player Chris Winnes is joining the staff as a volunteer assistant. After playing at the University of New Hampshire from 1987 to 1991, Chris went on to appear in more than 640 minor league games. He was also a member of the U.S. National Team at the 1992 World Championships and played in 34 NHL games with the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2002, Winnes transitioned into coaching. The Warwick, RI resident spent four years as head coach at both Middletown High School and Rocky Hill/Rocky Mountain Regional High School, where he continued to share his experience and knowledge of the game.

This season marks his 7th year coaching with URI. With the Rams, Winnes’ primary responsibilities will focus on working with the defense. His professional background and coaching experience provide valuable insight and development for the team’s defensive unit throughout the season.

Christian Rigamonti enters his 26th year with the University of Rhode Island and his 14th season as the team’s General Manager. Before moving into the GM role, Christian spent 12 years behind the bench as an Assistant Coach. In his current position, he is directly involved in all aspects of team operations, including recruiting, scheduling, budgeting, media coordination, and serving as the program’s representative to the league and the university’s external partners.

A former four-year player under current Head Coach Joe Augustine, Rigamonti skated for Rhode Island from 1990 to 1994 and served as Senior Co-Captain. He finished his career ranked fifth on the program’s all-time scoring list with 58 goals and 78 assists for 136 points, and he currently holds 13th place on URI’s all-time scoring chart.

Following a brief stint with the Milan Devils of the Italian League, the Berwyn, PA native returned to Kingston, joining the URI coaching staff in 1998.

Christian and his wife Melissa reside in Barrington, RI, with their three children: Ryan (18), Luca (16), and Tessa (15). Outside of his role at URI, he is employed by T-Mobile as a Senior Field Operations Manager.

Paul Connell returns to the URI Rams hockey program this season as a volunteer goaltending coach, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. Connell will focus primarily on working with the team's goaltenders, drawing on his extensive background as a player and coach.

A 1990 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Construction Management & Technology, Connell earned four varsity letters as a goaltender for the Falcons. He still holds the Bowling Green single-season record for minutes played (2,439:21) and ranks third all-time in minutes played (6,028:35). Connell also ranks fifth in total saves, with 2,442 stops over his collegiate career. During his time at Bowling Green, he amassed an impressive 60-32-6 record in 105 games and played a pivotal role in the team's success. The Falcons compete in the Division I Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), where Connell was named the MVP of the 1988 CCHA Playoffs and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Connell was also named the MVP of the 1988 Syracuse Invitational Tournament.  He was also a two-time CCHA Player of the Week and a three-time Bauer Player of the Week.

Connell was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1988 Supplemental Draft and participated in their camp and pre-season activities following his graduation. His professional career included stints with the Roanoke Valley Rebels and the Richmond Renegades of the ECHL.

This season marks Connell’s second tenure as the Rams' goaltending coach. He previously served in the same role for URI, and before that, he spent two seasons as the goaltending coach for the Providence College Friars under Coaches Mike McShane (1993-1994) and Paul Pooley (1996-1997). Connell has also worked with the Cranston League for Cranston's Future youth hockey program and served on the coaching staff of the Bellemore Goaltending Academy under renowned coach Bob Bellemore. Additionally, he has lectured on goaltending techniques as part of the USA Hockey Coaching Achievement Program for New England.

A native of Cranston, RI, Connell was a standout athlete at Cranston High School West, where he captained the hockey team during his junior and senior years and earned Second Team All-State honors in 1986. He was also a talented soccer player during his high school years.

Paul currently resides in Cranston with his wife Lisa, to whom he has been happily married for over 20 years.