The hunt for Mike Randolph continues.
The pursuit of Minnesota's winningest record by a men's hockey coach will continue next season at Northern Lakes, a player co-op of Aitkin, Crosby-Ironton, Pequot Lakes and Pine River Bacchus.
Randolph finished the 2023-24 season with 707 wins, tying Lorne Grosso for the most in state history. His St. Thomas Academy team played for a win at No. 708, but lost 3-1 to Cretin-Durham Hall in the Class 2A Section 2 final.
Randolph, 72, coached at St. Thomas Academy for three seasons, compiling a 49-30-3 record. He said when St. Thomas Academy decided not to renew Randolph's contract after last season, he made “excuses” such as Randolph's lack of presence on campus. Randolph's address was in Duluth, but he rented an apartment in Eagan during the season.
Most of his wins came during his 32 years as coach at Duluth East, where he led the Greyhounds to the state tournament 18 times, winning in 1995 and 1998. He left there in 2021, resigning due to what he called “parental pressure.” Randolph was inducted into the Minnesota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Northern Lakes competes in Class 1A. Randolph takes over a team that went 18-10 last season.
”[Randolph] “The Pequot Lakes School District has an extensive background in hockey coaching, including a strong focus on player development,” the Pequot Lakes School District said in a release provided by Byron Westrich, director of activities. “Pequot Lakes School District coaches and advisors have a rich history of student development.” Leadership and high-level competition. ”
Randolph returned to work as promised.
“I'm going to coach somewhere next year,” he said after St. Thomas Academy fired him. “I’m willing to accept a head coaching job anywhere, whether it’s Single-A or Double-A.”
