Tuesday afternoon University of Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Coyle announced that there would be a Leadership Change in Women’s Hockey. Minnesota had decided not to extend the expiring contract of head coach Brad Frost, and they will undergo a nationwide search for his replacement.
Coyle provided the following statement:
“Brad is a great coach and an even better person, which is why today is extremely difficult. This decision was made after a review of the program on and off the ice. We expect
to contend at the highest level in every aspect of women’s college hockey, and right now we are not doing that.
“I want to thank Brad for leading our team with class and integrity for 19 years. He has coached some of the best players to ever wear the Maroon and Gold, won numerous WCHA titles and national championships in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. We are grateful for his service and wish Brad all the best in his future endeavors.
“While change like this is never easy, now is the right time for a new voice to lead our program. This is the best coaching job in women’s hockey, and we will immediately begin a nationwide search for our next head coach.”
Coyle is expected to be available to speak to the media next Monday March 23rd about this change.
Frost has been around for all of the successes that the Gophers Women’s hockey team have had in their history. He was been the head coach for the past 19 seasons and ends his Minnesota career with a 554-133-43 all time record. He coached Minnesota to four NCAA Championships in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. Prior to becoming head coach, Frost was an assistant coach to Laura Halldorson for six seasons helping Minnesota in NCAA titles in 2004 and 2005.
Frost was extra emotional last Saturday after the Gophers were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament at home by Northeastern. While nobody alluded this development, its definitely possible he knew it was likely that he had coaches his last game as a Gopher at that time.
We will have more analysis on this coaching change later this week including an initial hot board for potential candidates. There are three top candidates that will be immediately mentioned at the top of everyone’s list. All three were former assistant coaches at one point for Brad Frost. The first and most obvious is Ohio State Head Coach Nadine Muzerall. The former Gopher star just had her program record for goals broken this season by Abbey Murphy and in ten seasons with Ohio State has leaped the Buckeyes over Minnesota in the national pecking order. The second is current St. Thomas Head coach Bethany Brausen. She was a star player for the Gophers in the mid-2010’s and was a Gopher assistant for several years before following former Gopher assistant Joel Johnson to St. Thomas as his lead assistant. She was promoted to head coach of the Tommies in January of 2025. The third is Gopher legend Natalie Darwitz. The Women’s Hockey Hall of Famer starred for Minnesota from 2002-2005 and was an assistant to Frost twice, once from 2008-2009 and again from 2021-2023.
We will have a larger hot list and analysis of his this may shape players entering the transfer portal and recruiting later this week.
