Bob Motzko will not return as Minnesota’s coach next season, the school announced on Wednesday.
The departure comes after the Gophers finished 11-22-3 overall (its worst season since 1972). This year’s team was eliminated in the first round of the B1G playoffs and did not qualify for the NCAA tournament.
Motzko, who coached for eight seasons, led Minnesota to five NCAA tourney appearances, including the 2023 national title game, where it lost in overtime to Quinnipiac.
“Now is the right time for new leadership,” Motzko said in a statement. “I have dedicated 14 years to this program as a head coach, assistant coach and student. I am grateful for every minute of it. In addition to working with so many incredible student-athletes, it was great to see the arena full again and the passion restored to our program.”
The school said it and Motzko “mutually” decided to part ways and that a nationwide search for a new coach would begin immediately.
“I want to thank Bob for leading our team for the last eight seasons,” Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle said in a statement. “(He) is a great coach and we wish him well in the future.”