Job opening could reshape look of Wisconsin men's hockey coaching staff
The Badgers aren't rushing to fill the job opened when Nick Oliver left to become head coach at St. Cloud State.
lakegenevanews.netHere’s what I can share based on recent reporting:
Core answer
- Wisconsin (Badgers) men's hockey had a coaching change in 2023 when Tony Granato was fired after seven seasons, and Mike Hastings was hired as the new head coach. This remains the most recent high-level coaching update for the program as of the latest widely reported coverage.[1][2]
Context and background
- Tony Granato led Wisconsin from 2016–2023, compiling a record of 105–129–16 and guiding the team to two Big Ten championships (2017, 2021) but with limited sustained success in other seasons. The program aimed to return to championship contention under new leadership.[1]
- Mike Hastings, formerly the head coach at Minnesota State, brought a track record of strong performance and NCAA tournament appearances to Wisconsin, signaling a shift toward a winning culture.[2]
Recent developments worth watching
- Wisconsin has continued to adjust its hockey coaching staff in the years since Hastings’ hiring, with reports in 2026 about contract approvals for coaches at the university, indicating ongoing institutional support for the program’s leadership.[7]
- Local and regional Wisconsin outlets have discussed potential reshaping of the coaching staff in the mid-2020s, though the Hastings era has remained the primary frame for the program’s leadership since 2023.[4]
Illustration
- Quick snapshot: coaching eras
- Granato era (2016–2023): notable for Big Ten titles but overall inconsistent sustained success; fired in 2023.[1]
- Hastings era (2023–present): brought in after a hiring period from Minnesota State; emphasized building a winning culture.[2]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest local updates or game-by-game results for the current season to see how the Hastings era is trending and whether there have been any recent staff changes. I can also summarize current contract statuses or discipline/news items from Wisconsin’s athletic department.