Larson Named Head Coach of Gopher Men’s Hockey

University of Minnesota Thomas O. Moe Director of Athletics Mark Coyle announced today that Brett Larson has been named head men’s hockey coach. The University and Larson have agreed to a five-year term, pending the completion of a background check and Board of Regents approval.

Larson has 16 years – eight as a head coach – of collegiate coaching experience. He comes to Minnesota from St. Cloud State where he served as the head coach for the past eight seasons. While at St. Cloud State, Larson guided the Huskies to four NCAA tournament appearances, two conference championships and the program’s first-ever national championship game in 2021. He leaves the Huskies with 153 career wins, which ranks as the fourth-most in program history.

“I am excited for Brett to lead our men’s hockey program and look forward to welcoming him, his wife Kelly, and their children, Lane and Calla, to Minnesota,” said Coyle. “Brett brings extensive coaching experience at both the collegiate and international levels, and throughout the process, it became clear that he possesses the leadership, vision, and drive to guide our program. He understands the responsibility that comes with this job and our expectation to compete at the highest level.”

Prior to St. Cloud State, Larson served two stints (2008-11, 2015-18) as an assistant coach at Minnesota Duluth, which is his alma mater. He helped lead the Bulldogs to national championships in 2011 and 2018.

In between his time at Minnesota Duluth, Larson was the head coach and general manager of the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League from 2011-12 and was the associate head coach at Ohio State from 2013-15.

“It is a tremendous honor to lead this historic program, one that I have great respect for,” said Larson. “I am grateful to President Rebecca Cunningham, Director of Athletics Mark Coyle, and everyone involved in the search process for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as head coach. I have an incredible amount of respect for everyone who has played, coached, and built this program, and I am both humbled and energized to carry that torch forward. This job comes with great responsibility, and I could not be more excited to get to work.”

Between St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth, Larson has coached or recruited more than 30 future NHL players, numerous All-Americans, Olympians and a Hobey Baker Award Memorial Award winner.

Larson also has extensive international experience with Team USA. Most recently, he was an assistant coach on the 2025 team that won gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships. He served in the same role in 2024 (gold medal) and 2020. He was also an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics and was head coach of the U.S. Junior Select Team that won the 2012 World Junior A Challenge.

Larson, who is from Duluth, Minn., was a defenseman for Minnesota Duluth from 1991-95. He was named a captain for his senior year and ended his college career with 67 points (24g-43a) in 133 career games.

He was drafted in the 11th round of the 1990 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Larson played 12 years of professional hockey, mostly in the minor leagues in the United States, but he also played in Germany, Denmark and England. He also skated for the U.S. National Inline Team, helping the United States earn gold in 1999 and silver in 1998.

Larson has a degree in criminology from Minnesota Duluth.

He and his wife, Kelly, have two children, a son Lane and a daughter Calla.