Russo Names Favorite for Gopher Hockey HC as Intriguing New Candidate Emerges
Over the course of his ten years as athletic director at the University of Minnesota, Mark Coyle has hired a new coach for just about every single sport he oversees. In the case of some programs — including Gopher men’s hockey, he’s replaced coaches twice.
Back in 2018, Coyle cut the cord with 19-year head coach Don Lucia, who couldn’t push the program back to the top of the college hockey mountain, following back-to-back National Championships in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
Unfortunately, Lucia’s replacement — Bob Motzko — who was hired from rival St. Cloud State University, didn’t fare any better. In 8 years at the helm in Dinkytown, Motzko made the Frozen Four twice and played for one National Championship, but failed to bring home the hardware Minnesota’s waited over two decades for.
Thus, he was fired. And now, The U is back on the prowl for a new men’s hockey coach. Normally, Mark Coyle-led coaching searches finish much sooner than later. And just a couple days after the Gophers split with Motzko, to nobody’s surprise, reports broke that Minnesota was moving fast yet again.
Russo names Brett Larson as favorite to land Gopher hockey head coaching job
The names that rose from the fray this weekend were SCSU coach Brett Larson (who replaced Motzko in St. Cloud when he left for Dinkytown), AHL head coach Grant Potulny and Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin — who later dropped out of the race.
According to Michael Russo (The Athletic) on Monday evening, Larson currently stands as the favorite to land the job.
Takeaways from Coyle re: men's coach: No doubt in my mind this was a true "mutual" breakup between U and Motzko. Motzko felt it was time. Also, Coyle's got a great poker face, but I think new coach hire is QUICK and doesn't have to be an alum, meaning Brett Larson has real shot.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 23, 2026
According to multiple sources, two of the candidates were St. Cloud State coach Brett Larson and Hartford Wolf Pack coach and Gophers alum Grant Potulny. As of late Monday, Larson seemed to be emerging as the favorite.
Michael Russo – The Athletic
However, Mark Coyle’s usual high-speed search has seemingly hit somewhat of a speed bump over the last couple days, after he started receiving phone calls and messages with additional candidates he should consider as the next men’s hockey coach.
The Minnesota AD revealed as much Monday, while speaking with local media during the introductory press conference for new women’s hockey coach, Greg “Boom” May, noting multiple times per Eric Vegoe (MN Hockey Magazine) that he’s “looking for someone that won’t buckle because there is a lot that comes with hockey at MN.”
Coyle said multiple times today in reference to both programs that he's looking for someone that won't buckle because there is a lot that comes with hockey at Minnesota. He said that people have been reaching out to him in this process which has widened the search.
— Eric Vegoe (@evegoe) March 23, 2026
New Minnesota Gophers hockey coach candidate emerges
Over the last couple days, there have been reports surfacing of a possible mystery candidate who has gotten Coyle’s attention. While we don’t know for sure who this mystery candidate is, there has been chatter today surrounding 56-year-old Western Michigan head coach, Pat Ferschweiler.
According to Youth Hockey Hub, Ferschweiler has a $1.6 million buyout at Western Michigan — which could pose a problem for Coyle’s athletic budget. However, YHH notes that “they’ve been getting a lot of the same smoke on the WMU coach” from their sources, as well.
I'm surprised Minnesota hasn't called Western Michigan's Pat Ferschweiler for the Head Coach opening. Born in Minnesota. Family there. Clearly an elite President, GM, Coach snd player developer which is the #cawlidgehawkey job. And he's in his prime.
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) March 23, 2026
YHH getting a lot of the same smoke on the WMU coach.
— YHH (@YouthHockeyHub) March 23, 2026
The biggest hurdle is not annual pay or want. The school can pay him, he wants to come to Minnesota. There is a $1.6 Million buyout that is sitting on the table. Can the U afford it?
Don’t be surprised if the U waits for… https://t.co/QArsT5g9Ik
Pat’s No. 1 seed Broncos are trying to defend their 2025 National Championship in the upcoming NCAA Tournament (first matchup is Friday afternoon vs 4-seed Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks) — is from Rochester, MN.
More about Pat Ferschweiler
However, he isn’t just the head hockey coach at Western Michigan since 2021, he’s also an alum (1990-93). After going undrafted in 1993, Ferschweiler played eight years of pro hockey.
He spent time with the Roanoke Express, Kansas City Blades, San Francisco Spiders, London Knights and even… the Minnesota Moose, where he played with local hockey legends like Dave Christian, Reed Larson and Jimmy Snuggerud’s Gopher legend father, Dave Snuggerud.
Pat Ferschweiler started his coaching career as an assistant at Western Michigan in 2010. In 2014, he took a job with the Grand Rapids Griffins, before moving up for a four-year assistant coaching stint with the Detroit Red Wings from 2015-2019.
He returned to the Broncos again in 2019 as an assistant, before being promoted to head coach in 2021. Now, he’s reportedly interested in leaving again, this time for the University of Minnesota.
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