Lucia agrees to contract extension at Minnesota

Minnesota has agreed to terms on a contract extension with head coach Don Lucia through the 2014-2015 season.

“Don is a championship caliber coach and is deserving of this extension,” said Minnesota director of athletics Joel Maturi in a news release. “He has led the University of Minnesota to two national titles and recently battled through a significant illness. He is now totally healthy and fully committed to Minnesota.

“I believe Gopher hockey to be the premier program in the country and Don is the right man to continue to lead our student-athletes.”

Lucia, in his 13th season behind the bench, won back-to-back national championships with Minnesota in 2002 and 2003 and has a stellar 294-159-53 record with the Gophers. Minnesota is off to a 4-0-0 start this season, its best start since 2001-2002.

“Our goal every year is for Minnesota to be a championship team and we have been able to achieve the ultimate success twice since I have been here,” added Lucia. “Some years we come closer to reaching our goals than others, but I am confident that we are headed in the right direction.”