On July 25, 2006, Houda was named an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. He was relieved of his duties following the 2015–16 season, after 10 seasons with the Bruins. During Houda's 10 seasons with the club, the Bruins compiled a 428–264–94 record, seventh-best in the NHL over that span. Boston's 57 playoff wins over the same duration are fourth-most in the league, trailing only Chicago (76), Detroit (66) and Pittsburgh (66). Houda also spent three seasons as an assistant coach in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans from 2003–06. The Amerks compiled a 125–86–16–13 record in the span and held the league's best record in 2004–05 at 51–19–4–6 (112 points).[1]
On May 10, 2016, Houda was named an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings He was relieved of his position following the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season. He spent six years with the Red Wings.[2][3]
On July 5, 2022, the New York Islanders announced that Doug Houda and Brian Wiseman have been brought on as assistant coaches under Lane Lambert.[4]
On June 29, 2024, the Islanders announced they fired Houda as assistant coach.[5]