Augustana Hockey Coach Garrett Raboin Staying Put Despite Gophers Rumors

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Garrett Raboin, the head coach of the Augustana University men's hockey team, appears to be staying in Sioux Falls despite rumors that he was a top candidate for the head coaching job at the University of Minnesota. Augustana's athletic director posted on social media that Raboin will remain the team's coach "now and for years to come." The Gophers are still searching for a new head coach after letting go of Bob Motzko earlier this week.

Why it matters

Raboin was an assistant coach at Minnesota for 10 years under Motzko before taking the Augustana job three seasons ago. His decision to stay at the smaller Division I program is a surprising one, as the Gophers job is considered one of the most prestigious in college hockey. This development raises questions about the direction of Minnesota's coaching search.

The details

According to reports, the Gophers were focusing on three top candidates to replace Motzko - Raboin, St. Cloud State head coach Brett Larson, and former Gopher standout Grant Potulny, who is currently coaching in the AHL. It's unclear if the Gophers officially offered the job to Raboin, but his Augustana athletic director's social media post suggests he has decided to remain with the Vikings program, which has only been Division I for three seasons.

• On March 20, 2026, Augustana athletic director Josh Morton posted on social media that Raboin will remain the team's coach "now and for years to come."
• Earlier this week, the University of Minnesota let go of head coach Bob Motzko, sparking a search for his replacement.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The University of Minnesota will continue its search for a new head coach, with Brett Larson and Grant Potulny reportedly still in the running.