Minnesota Duluth and coach Scott Sandelin have agreed to a four-year contract extension that will keep Sandelin behind the Bulldogs bench through the 2024-25 season.
Sandelin had interviewed this offseason with the Anaheim Ducks, according to the Brainerd Dispatch.
“I want to publicly thank (UMD athletic director) Josh Berlo and (UMD chancellor) Lendley Black for their continued support and commitment to our men’s hockey program,” said Sandelin in a statement. “I am so fortunate to work with a great coaching and support staff and some tremendous student-athletes. We have worked hard to build a culture of excellence both on and off the ice and I look forward to being a part of that in the years to come.”
Sandelin concluded his program-record 19th season with the Bulldogs this past April by directing UMD to its second consecutive NCAA championship and its third national title since 2011.
The 2018-19 Bulldogs rolled up 29 overall victories – the second most in program history – and also captured their second NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship in three years while advancing to the NCAA tournament for the fifth year in a row.
A five-time Spencer Penrose Award honoree as the AHCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year (winner in 2003-04, runner-up in 2010-11 and finalist the last three winters), Sandelin is the winningest coach in UMD history, going 369-311-87 and has won more game than any other NCHC bench boss (76-55-13 in six seasons).
“This agreement further extends the exceptional leadership of Scott Sandelin and his staff,” added Berlo. “UMD men’s hockey, with Coach Sandelin at the helm, has established itself as the model program over the last decade through competitive excellence, academic achievement and community engagement while also facilitating great success of former Bulldog student athletes in the NHL. I could not be more excited for our team, alumni, fans, campus, university system, and community to continue this tradition of excellence and source of pride for Bulldog country and the state of hockey.
“Under Scott’s leadership, the UMD men’s hockey program has provided incredible value through exposure on comprehensive institutional success. The program’s recent achievements have generated over $20 million in earned media attention that shines a spotlight on the impressive academics, vibrant student life, groundbreaking research and exciting faculty accomplishments at the UMD. Scott has played a key role in growing revenues and enhancing fundraising for Bulldog athletics as we continue to set attendance and revenue records that contribute to the overall strength and success of the UMD athletics.”
