After 11 years at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mike Hastings is leaving to become the Wisconsin Badgers’ men’s hockey coach.
Hastings said in a statement he was “thrilled” to take on the new opportunity in the neighboring state.
“Wisconsin is one of college hockey’s great programs and I am both thrilled and humbled to have this opportunity,” Hastings said in a statement on the university’s website.
“I want to thank Chris McIntosh for his belief in me. Badger hockey has a lot going for it — great alums, fans, facilities, tradition, a terrific campus and city. I can’t wait to get to Madison and start working with our team on building a winning culture on and off the ice.”
The Mavericks went 299-109-25 during Hastings’ 11 years in charge of the Mavericks.
Hastings led Minnesota State to eight NCAA tournament appearances, two Frozen Fours, and one NCAA National Championship game — a 5-1 loss to Denver in 2022.
In his time in Mankato, Hastings’ squad won over 20 games every season he was in charge, a feat they accomplished only twice in the previous 16 seasons of Division-I play.
Minnesota State also won their past six regular season conference titles, winning the CCHA in 2022 and 2023, while winning the WCHA from 2018-2021.
Before arriving in Mankato, Hastings was the coach and general manager for the United States Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers from 1994-2008, compiling a 529-210-56 record with the Lancers.
The Badgers parted ways with Tony Granato earlier this month after seven seasons in Madison.
Granato went 105-129-16 as head coach of Wisconsin. The Badgers finished last in the Big Ten with a 13-23-0 record, their fifth losing season under Granato.
Hastings’ teams have winning records in each of his 25 seasons as head coach. The 57-year-old has won the Spencer Penrose Award as the NCAA’s coach of the year three times throughout his career.
