University of Minnesota Hires Brett Larson as New Head Men's Hockey Coach

Larson brings extensive collegiate and international coaching experience to lead the Gophers program.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 10:23pm

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The University of Minnesota has announced the hiring of Brett Larson as the new head coach of the men's hockey team. Larson, a Duluth native, has over 16 seasons of collegiate coaching experience, including two stints at Minnesota Duluth where he helped the Bulldogs win national championships in 2011 and 2018. He has spent the past eight seasons as the head coach at St. Cloud State, leading the Huskies to four national tournament appearances, two conference titles, and a trip to the 2021 National Championship game.

Why it matters

The University of Minnesota has one of the most storied college hockey programs in the country, with five national championships. Hiring an experienced coach like Larson, who has a proven track record of success at the collegiate level, is seen as a key move to help the Gophers return to national prominence and compete for future titles.

The details

Larson's five-year contract is pending approval by the University's Board of Regents. During his tenure at St. Cloud State, Larson compiled 153 wins, the fourth-most in program history. He has also coached at the international level, serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men's National Team.

  • On March 24, 2026, the University of Minnesota announced Brett Larson as the new head men's hockey coach.
  • Larson's five-year contract is pending approval by the University's Board of Regents.

The players

Brett Larson

The new head men's hockey coach at the University of Minnesota, with over 16 seasons of collegiate coaching experience, including two national championships at Minnesota Duluth and four national tournament appearances at St. Cloud State.

Mark Coyle

The University of Minnesota Director of Athletics, who announced the hiring of Brett Larson as the new head men's hockey coach.

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What they’re saying

“I am excited for Brett to lead our men's hockey program and look forward to welcoming him, his wife Kelly, and their children, Lane and Calla, to Minnesota.”

— Mark Coyle, University of Minnesota Director of Athletics

“Brett brings extensive coaching experience at both the collegiate and international levels, and throughout the process, it became clear that he possesses the leadership, vision, and drive to guide our program. He understands the responsibility that comes with this job and our expectation to compete at the highest level.”

— Mark Coyle, University of Minnesota Director of Athletics

What’s next

The University of Minnesota's Board of Regents will need to approve Larson's five-year contract before he can officially take over as the new head men's hockey coach.

The takeaway

The hiring of Brett Larson, an experienced and successful collegiate hockey coach, signals the University of Minnesota's commitment to rebuilding its storied men's hockey program and returning it to national prominence. Larson's track record of winning championships and leading teams to the NCAA tournament makes him an ideal candidate to guide the Gophers back to the top of college hockey.