Bob Motzko has been named men’s ice hockey coach at St. Cloud State, thus lifting the “interim” status from his title, SCSU athletic director Dr. Morris Kurtz announced Monday.
“We are delighted to have Bob Motzko running the Husky hockey program,” Kurtz said. “He is a man of integrity, who is committed to academic and athletic success which is consistent with the overall mission of Husky athletics.
“SCSU looks for Bob to build on the foundation put into place by Craig Dahl, and return Husky hockey to a level of prominence.”
Motzko was named the Huskies’ interim coach at the beginning of the 2005-06 season, after the resignation of former head coach Dahl. Motzko served as the team’s interim head coach during the University’s national search to fill the position.
“I would like to thank President Roy Saigo and Morris Kurtz for providing me with the opportunity to come back to St. Cloud State,” said Motzko, a 1987 graduate of St. Cloud State. “In the college coaching profession, you always hope to have the chance to come back and coach at your alma mater. Now, I’m one of the fortunate ones to get that opportunity.”
Prior to his move to SCSU, Motzko served as a men’s hockey assistant coach at Minnesota since 2001. He was part of two NCAA Division I national championship teams in 2002 and 2003, and helped the Gophers win WCHA playoff crowns in 2003 and 2004.
Motzko was a two-year varsity letterwinner for the SCSU hockey team from 1984-86. Motzko began his coaching career in 1986-87 as an assistant coach for the legendary Herb Brooks at SCSU.
Motzko went on to serve as general manager and head coach of the USHL’s North Iowa Huskies from 1987 through 1991. In 1989, Motzko led the North Iowa squad to a United States Junior A national championship and was named USHL Coach of the Year.
In 1991, Motzko was named assistant at Miami University, where he helped lead the RedHawks to a CCHA title and an NCAA tournament berth in 1992-93. He served for one season as associate head coach at Denver from 1993-94, before returning to Miami in 1994 as associate head coach.
Motzko was named general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede in 1998. He led the Stampede to a 77-31-6 record in the team’s first two seasons, and in 2000, Motzko was named the USHL General Manager of the Year.
In over 19 years of coaching hockey, Motzko has worked with many of the top coaches in the game including Brooks, Dahl, Don Lucia (Minnesota), Mark Mazzoleni (Harvard and Green Bay-USHL), George Gwozdecky (Denver) and Frank Serratore (Air Force).
Under Motzko’s this season, the Huskies have compiled a 9-8-3 overall record, including a 4-7-1 WCHA slate.
A native of Austin, Minn., Motzko and his wife Shelley are the parents of three children. They reside in St. Cloud.
