Bob Motzko Out as Gophers Men's Hockey Coach After 8 Seasons

Bob Motzko will not return as the head coach of Gophers men's hockey after eight seasons in the position. The University of Minnesota announced they've mutually agreed to part ways on Wednesday.

"This was my 42nd year in coaching, and at this stage in my career, now is the right time for new leadership. I have dedicated 14 years to this program as a head coach, assistant coach and student. I am grateful for every minute of it," Motzko said in a statement.

Thomas O. Moe Director of Athletics Mark Coyle announces University and men's hockey coach Bob Motzko have mutually parted ways.

We thank Bob Motzko for eight seasons of leadership and for the role he played in restoring our tradition of excellence.

🗒: https://t.co/AFVXwjdEjP pic.twitter.com/p7Ku8CbBMr
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 18, 2026

"In addition to working with so many incredible student-athletes, it was great to see the arena full again and the passion restored to our program. One of the most enjoyable and rewarding parts of my eight years was reconnecting with and uniting our alumni and having them involved with our program. It was a tremendous honor to be part of this incredible University."

Motzko was hired by the school before the 2018-19 season, following an impressive 13-year run at St. Cloud State. After missing the NCAA Tournament in his first year with the Gophers, and COVID ending the 2019-20 season early, he went to five straight tournaments, including two Frozen Fours, and a runner-up finish in the 2022-23 season.

He overcame serious adversity with the tragic death of his son in 2021, leading Minnesota to three regular-season Big Ten championships and one conference tournament championship in 2020-21. His Gophers' tenure ends with a 172-104-24 overall record.

The Gophers' 2025-26 season began to fall off the rails with an 11-23- 3 overall record, which matched the program's most losses since the 1997-98 season. They lost their top-five scorers from the 2024-25 team, and they were not able to rebuild through the transfer portal or the introduction of Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to the NCAA level.

The firing of Motzko comes just 24 hours after longtime Minnesota women's hockey coach Brad Frost was fired. Frost coached the Gophers for 19 seasons and led the program to four national championships (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016).

Motzko was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota from 2001 to 2005. He accepted his first head coaching job at St. Cloud State in 2015 and held that job with the Huskies until 2018. He won the WCHA Coach of the Year award in 2006 and 2007, and in 2014, he won the inaugural NCHC Herb Brooks Coach of the Year award.

"I want to thank Bob for leading our team for the last eight seasons. In addition to winning Big Ten titles, the team advanced to the Men's Frozen Four twice and played in the national championship game in 2023," Gophers AD Mark Coyle said in a release. "Bob coached 15 All-Americans and three future Olympians at Minnesota. He is a great coach and we wish him well in the future."

SCSU made six WCHA Final Five appearances and three NCHC Frozen Faceoffs, along with eight trips to the NCAA Tournament under Motzko. They were the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2018 but lost in the opening round.

After Motzko took the Minnesota job, Brett Larson took over SCSU as head coach and immediately guided them back to the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, only to again lose their first game.

The school is expected to begin a nationwide search immediately.