SCHENECTADY — Bill Riga, who has been an assistant coach for the Union men’s college hockey team the last five seasons, has resigned to take a similar position with ECAC Hockey-rival Quinnipiac.

Riga was the first hire Nate Leaman made shortly after Leaman was named the Dutchmen’s head coach on July 30, 2003.

“I’m very happy for Billy for the opportunity to experience something new in his career,” Leaman said Monday. “He worked hand-in-hand in everything we did here as a staff. We basically worked three guys together. He did some of the recruiting as well.”

Leaman is in the process of interviewing candidates to join him and associate head coach Rick Bennett.