Granato fired as UW hockey coach
MADISON – The Tony Granato era came to an end Monday.
The University of Wisconsin men’s hockey coach was relieved of his duties after the Badgers’ second straight losing season and last-place finish in the Big Ten Conference this year, director of athletics Chris McIntosh announced Monday. Granato spent seven seasons on the job, compiling a 105-129-16 (.452) overall record and a 65-87-13 (.433) mark in the Big Ten.
UW went 13-23 this past season with a 6-18 mark in the Big Ten. Its season ended Saturday at Michigan when it dropped the second game of a best-ofthree Big Ten quarterfinal series.
Granato was the Big Ten coach of the year in 2017 as well as 2021, the Badgers’ Big Ten championship season; however, those two seasons were the only ones the team finished with a winning record. UW made its only NCAA Tournament appearance under Granato two years ago.
“Coach Granato is a great Badger and no one is more passionate about Wisconsin hockey or the University of Wisconsin than he is,” McIntosh said in a news release. “I have great appreciation for the heart and soul that he has poured into the program during his time as head coach.
“I believe our men’s hockey program can consistently compete at a championship level. My intention is to find a coach that will lead the effort to get us there.”
The announcement comes almost one year after Granato’s contract was extended despite the team’s fifth-place finish in the Big Ten. At the time, Granato and McIntosh reiterated their championship-level expectations for the program.
Granato’s departure closes the book on a hire that was widely hailed in 2016.
In addition to starring for the Badgers from 198387, Granato had a 14-year NHL playing career and a seven-year run as the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. He also was the head coach of the U.S. Olympic team in 2018.
That success, however, didn’t lead to long-term success on the ice at Wisconsin.