Brett Larson Emerges as Leading Candidate for Gophers Men’s Hockey Head Coach

MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Coyle addressed the public on Monday for the first time since the departure of men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko. Despite maintaining a composed demeanor, it’s evident that Coyle and the search committee are making significant progress in identifying Motzko’s successor.

Following the announcement of Greg “Boom” May as the new women’s hockey coach on Sunday, Coyle confirmed he spent the weekend conducting Zoom interviews with potential candidates for the men’s position while attending the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in St. Louis.

Larson and Potulny Top the List

According to multiple sources, two prominent candidates emerged during the initial stages of the search: St. Cloud State coach Brett Larson and Hartford Wolf Pack coach, and Gophers alum, Grant Potulny. As of late Monday, Brett Larson appeared to be gaining momentum as the frontrunner.

Brett Larson, a Duluth native and former University of Minnesota-Duluth defenseman, took the helm at St. Cloud State in 2018, succeeding Motzko after contributing to a national championship win at UMD as an assistant coach. He also played a key role on the USA Hockey staff that secured gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Juniors. You can find more information about his career at St. Cloud State University Athletics.

Potulny, a former Gophers captain and assistant coach, boasts two national championships as a player, including a memorable overtime winner in the 2002 Frozen Four title game against Maine. He began his head coaching career at Northern Michigan, and leading the Gophers would be a dream opportunity.

Navigating the New College Hockey Landscape

Coyle emphasized that a Gophers alumni background isn’t a strict requirement for the position. He acknowledged the rapidly evolving college athletics landscape and the need for a coach capable of managing all facets of the program – coaching, recruiting, and the business side. The next coach must be comfortable navigating the transfer portal, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, revenue sharing, and the influx of Canadian major junior players.

The university is also considering the potential addition of a general manager (or multiple) to oversee the program’s operational aspects.

Motzko’s Departure and the Future of Gophers Hockey

Coyle revealed that discussions regarding Motzko’s future began a month ago. With one year remaining on a $750,000 contract, Coyle met with Motzko last week following the Gophers’ first losing season since 1999. The goal was to determine the best long-term path for the program, as Motzko contemplated retirement.

“As that conversation went on… we both realized that the best long-term decision… was for him to step down and step away from our program and for us to go in a new direction,” Coyle stated. He highlighted the unprecedented changes occurring in college athletics and their impact on hockey.

Coyle stressed the importance of hiring a coach who understands the significance of Gopher hockey to the state of Minnesota. “It is a big, big deal,” he said. “We need someone that can manage this program, on and off the ice, in the new landscape of college athletics.”

Swift Action and High Expectations

Coyle indicated that the search will proceed swiftly, particularly with the transfer portal opening on April 13. He emphasized the desirability of the Gophers job and the need to find a leader who can meet the program’s high expectations. “We have to find somebody whose knees aren’t going to buckle,” Coyle added.

Motzko will turn 65 on Friday, marking the first time he won’t be coaching on his birthday. Coyle acknowledged Motzko’s disappointment with the recent season and the need to restore the program to its former glory.

Women’s Hockey Reboot

On the women’s side, May, who served as associate coach under Brad Frost, aims to revitalize a program that has been surpassed by Ohio State and Wisconsin. He described the change as a “reboot,” emphasizing the need for increased competitiveness, discipline, and a renewed belief in Minnesota as the premier destination for college hockey.

Source: The Athletic