Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale earns new 5-year deal

Adam Nightingale needed only two seasons to take Michigan State hockey from the bottom of the Big Ten to the top. 

Less than a week after the Spartans won their first Big Ten regular-season title, Michigan State ensured Nightingale wouldn’t be going anywhere else anytime soon. 

Athletic director Alan Haller signed Nightingale to a new five-year rollover contract that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in Big Ten hockey, the school announced Thursday. 

Nightingale will be paid an annual salary of $700,000 — a $230,000 increase from his previous deal. He’s set to earn a base salary of $600,000 along with a supplemental compensation of $100,000 in the first year, according to a press release. That supplemental pay will increase by $25,000 each year. The Spartan alumnus also will receive a $100,000 retention bonus every two years beginning Sept. 30, 2024.

Haller lauded Nightingale’s quick success in putting Spartan hockey back on the map. 

"In less than two years, Adam Nightingale has sparked a resurgence throughout the Spartan hockey program," Haller said in a written statement.  "Obviously, everyone will point to our first ever Big Ten regular-season championship, but that's only one part of the success story. Off the ice, hockey student-athletes are performing at a historic level in the classroom, while also playing an active role in our community. Sellout crowds have returned to Munn Ice Arena, re-establishing it as one of the best home ice advantages in the sport. Equally important, our passionate alumni base is united in support of the program.”

Michigan State hockey has been on an upward trajectory ever since Nightingale’s return to East Lansing two seasons ago. He came to the Spartans with the plans of making them once again a reputable program that drew top talent and played in meaningful games well into the spring.

Nightingale's reputation as a developmental coach as well as relationships he built up over the years working with various NHL teams and the U.S. National Team Development Program have bolstered the Spartans’ recruiting efforts. He and his staff set expectations for the team upfront and have worked to make practices harder than games. Success has since followed.

In his first season at the helm, Nightingale was a finalist for 2023 Big Ten Coach of the Year after he led the Spartans to an 18-18-2 overall record and 10-12-2 in the Big Ten. 

This season, Michigan State went 22-9-3 and 16-6-2 in the league, marking the program’s most wins since the 2007-08 season. The Spartans, who are No. 6 in the USCHO.com poll and tied for third in the Pairwise rankings, beat Wisconsin on March 1 to clinch the program’s first Big Ten title. 

Haller said he began talking to Nightingale “a couple months ago” about how the program can continue to build off this season’s momentum. 

“With the new contract, we're taking steps to ensure stability and the opportunity for success for many years to come,” Haller said. 

Nightingale said it’s been a “humbling experience” to represent his alma mater in this capacity.

"Being the head coach of the Spartan hockey program continues to be a great honor — one I do not take lightly," Nightingale said in a written statement. "Our staff and players are thankful for the support we receive from the University, community and alumni.”

Nightingale’s new deal will put him with Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings as one of the highest-paid coaches in Big Ten hockey. Hastings earned $700,000 this season, and Minnesota coach Bob Motzko earns an annual salary of $660,000. 

In comparison, Michigan coach Brandon Naurato signed a deal last June that paid him a base salary of $400,000 this season. 

Other benefits to Nightingale’s contract include an increased salary pool for assistants and hockey staff. 

With Nightingale’s future secured, the Spartans will look to continue to build off the momentum they’ve garnered over the last two seasons. 

“Although we celebrated a Big Ten championship last weekend, we still have several short-term and long-term goals we will strive to achieve,” Nightingale said. “We appreciate Alan Haller and (Deputy AD) Jennifer Smith's belief in us, and look forward to continuing our climb back to the top of college hockey."

After receiving a first-round bye in the Big Ten tournament, the Spartans will host the semifinals March 16 at Munn Ice Arena, facing either Michigan or Notre Dame. Michigan State is also poised to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012. 

Nightingale came to Michigan State with the intention to end that drought as well as battle to win the Spartans’ first national title since 2007.

mkenney@detroitnews.com

@madkenney