Mike Hastings leaving Mankato for Wisconsin hockey job

He boasted a 299-109-25 record in 11 seasons as the Mavericks' head coach.

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.