After a successful first three seasons at the helm of the Michigan State hockey program, head coach Adam Nightingale has signed a multi-year contract extension, the university announced Friday, June 13.
"My family and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent Michigan State University," Nightingale said in a press release. "To coach at an institution like this and be part of the East Lansing community is a privilege and an awesome responsibility. The support our program receives, from President Kevin Guskiewicz, the Board of Trustees, Director of Athletics J Batt and the entire Spartan family, will never be taken for granted, and we make sure our players and staff understand that on a daily basis. We look forward to continuing to make our university, alumni and community proud."
In just three seasons, Nightingale has engineered a rapid rise for the Spartans. With a 69-35-9 overall record and a .650 win percentage, MSU has claimed back-to-back Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles. The Spartans are the first team in conference history to win both titles in consecutive seasons.
Nightingale and his staff have also developed talent across the roster. Over three years, MSU has produced 11 All-Big Ten selections, four All-Americans, and multiple individual award winners, including a Big Ten Player of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and a Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner in rising senior forward Isaac Howard.
Under Nightingale, MSU reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012 and won its first tournament game since 2008. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2024 and was a national Coach of the Year finalist in 2025.
After MSU’s 2024-25 season ended with a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Cornell, Nightingale joined Team USA as an assistant coach at the IIHF Men’s World Championship, helping the Americans capture their first gold medal in 92 years.
Now heading into his fourth season, Nightingale leads a surging program with a top-ranked recruiting class and national title aspirations firmly in sight.
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