Mike Hastings made his first appearance as Wisconsin men's hockey coach. Here's what we learned.
MADISON – Monday afternoon the Wisconsin athletic department rolled out the red carpet for Mike Hastings.
But as it turned out, the Badgers new men’s hockey coach had already been welcomed with open arms.
One by one the calls and messages from UW came.
Football coach Luke Fickell. Men’s soccer coach Neil Jones. Men’s basketball coach Greg Gard. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, too.
“(She) gave me the first 'On, Wisconsin!'" Hastings said. “That was chilling.”
The hiring of Hastings was announced Thursday while the former Minnesota State coach was still in Mankato.
Hastings comes to UW after compiling a 299-109-25 record (.719) in 11 seasons at with the Mavericks. The 57-year-old has 14 years of additional head coaching experience with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League.
He has not had a losing season in 25 seasons as a head coach.
Monday, he made his debut at the Kohl Center in front of members of the team, Badgers coaches and administrators and a couple of hundred faithful fans.
Hastings talked about his coaching roots, appreciation for all that the university has to offer and his initial plans for rebuilding the program.
“We’re trying to eliminate every possible excuse of why we can’t go get it done,” Hastings said. “Our journey started last night (with a team meeting) and it’s going to be one that is going to have some peaks and valleys, Hopefully a lot more peaks than valleys.”
Here are four things we learned from the introductory press conference.
The search for assistant coaches is open. That said, Hastings has high regard for his former associate head coach, Todd Knott.
One of Hastings’ next steps will be to hire assistant coaches. Applications for the positions close Thursday.
Might Todd Knott, Hastings’ long-time assistant, join him at UW? Minnesota State announced Sunday that Knott declined an offer to become the Mavericks head coach. Earlier this year Knott, who was at Minnesota State throughout Hastings’ tenure, won the Terry Flannagan Award, an assistant coach of the year award given based on a coach’s career body of work.
Hastings wouldn't tip his hand about the possibility of Knott joining him at Wisconsin but expressed deep regard for his colleague and friend.
“He’s someone I think is outstanding at what he does whether that's in a hockey rink or in a community or even what he is as a father and a husband and parent,” Hastings said. “I’ve got an awful lot of respect for him.”
Hastings met with the team Sunday and as of Monday had spoken to all but a couple of the incoming recruits
The Badgers signed a 11-man recruiting class in the fall. Four of those players – William Whitelaw, Brady Cleveland, Zach Schulz and Aiden Fink – plus freshman Charlie Stramel were listed on the NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings for the upcoming draft
Hastings has seen many of the current and future Badgers play. He even noted that he tried to recruit a couple to Minnesota State. In his conversations with current and future Badgers he has provided a window into some of his plans for the program.
”It’s about trying to let them know how exciting I think this is going to be and how much we need them to be able to push the rock up the hill together,” he said.
Former UW coach Tony Granato personally congratulated Hastings
Much has been said about how much of a quality individual Tony Granato is and the former Badgers coach displayed that again by reaching out to Hastings to congratulate him on getting the job.
“Tony was one of the first ones to send a text and say ‘Great hire, you’re going to crush it,’” Hastings said. “I think that speaks about the Badger family and so from that standpoint, it’s humbling.”
Before Mike Hastings started coaching he wanted to teach
Hastings coaching career began after his playing career at St. Cloud State was cut short after two season due to injury. His plan was to become a teacher before his career took that turn.
As a coach, he still considers himself an educator.
“Not far off, just a little bit of a different avenue to get there," he said. "It’s crazy how life deals you the life you’re dealt and then what do you do with it. I’m blessed that that happened and it has allowed me to get here.”
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin men's hockey coach Mike Hastings has first public appeance
