Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale has inked a fresh contract, as confirmed by the school on Thursday, just days after securing the program’s inaugural Big Ten championship. Nightingale, in his second season, guided the Spartans to an impressive 22-9-3 record, marking the team’s highest number of victories since 2007-08. Currently ranked No. 6 nationally, MSU has claimed the top seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament following their clinching of the regular-season title with a victory over Wisconsin last weekend.
MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller praised Nightingale’s impact on the hockey program, citing not only the historic Big Ten championship but also the remarkable academic achievements of the student-athletes, community engagement, and the resurgence of sellout crowds at Munn Ice Arena.
Nightingale’s inaugural season in 2022-23 saw a rapid improvement, with the Spartans securing 18 wins, surpassing the previous year’s total by six games. The season concluded with a notable upset in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals against Notre Dame, marking MSU’s first-ever postseason wins and earning Nightingale consideration as a finalist for Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, Nightingale acknowledged the honor of leading the Spartan hockey program. His new five-year rollover contract includes a non-performance related compensation of $700K in the first year, featuring a $600K base salary and $100K supplemental compensation. The latter will increase by $25K annually from the second year onwards. Additionally, Nightingale stands to receive a $100K retention bonus every two years, beginning Sept. 30, 2024. The contract also allocates an augmented salary pool for assistants and hockey staff.
As the top seed in the Big Ten tournament, MSU has earned a quarterfinal bye and will host the semifinals on March 16 at Munn Ice Arena.
