For all of the coaches, players, recruits and fans, Tom Buning hopes the UND athletic department delivered a strong message Wednesday head men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol isn't going anywhere.
UND rewarded the coach for his success with a five-year contract that will place him among the highest-paid coaches in the conference and the country.
Hakstol's new contract calls for him to earn a base salary of $210,000, with incentives that could bump that figure by 25 percent. He also will earn $50,000 annually in deferred compensation.
In addition, the deal allocates $190,000 to be split between the assistant coaches, Cary Eades and Dane Jackson. They also could bump their salaries by as much as 25 percent with incentives.
"This contract helps us celebrate the excellence of (Hakstol's) role as coach to this point," said Buning, UND's athletic director. "It also lets the world know that we want to keep him. We have a proven commodity and a proven coach in Dave. We want him to continue producing great teams that are fun to come out and watch."
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Hakstol, who has brought the Sioux to the NCAA Frozen Four in all three years as coach, will receive a considerable pay increase. Last season, his base salary was $133,674. He was still on his first contract, though, and Buning said he wanted to re-do it instead of putting together an extension.
Hakstol's new deal should place him fourth (close to third) among Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches, Buning said. Minnesota's Don Lucia is the leader. He is believed to be making more than $400,000 per year. Wisconsin's Mike Eaves and Denver's George Gwozdecky also have lucrative deals.
"Three years ago, I felt very fortunate to have this opportunity," said Hakstol, who took over for Dean Blais in the summer of 2004. "I don't think there is a better place to be in the hockey world.
"What we hoped to accomplish was to move forward and build on what others already had developed here. The number one goal, obviously, is to win."
Hakstol, 39, has done plenty of winning in his first three seasons. He's compiled a record of 78-45-11, won a WCHA postseason title and became the first Sioux coach to lead a team to three straight Frozen Fours.
UND vice president for general administration Phil Harmeson added that hockey supporters played a large role in financing the salaries.
Assistants
addressed
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Hakstol also expressed pleasure that the assistant coaches were addressed in the contract.
Eades and Jackson, both former Sioux players, will remain on one-year contracts but figure to earn raises. Buning said that the $190,000 is for Hakstol to split between the assistants as he sees fit.
"That's very important. It's a chance to stay together and work together," Hakstol said. "We're very fortunate to have a contract that properly addresses them."
And Buning hopes the contract helps solidify all three coaches at UND.
"We want them to be secure and confident in what they do," Buning said. "We want to let them know how much we value them and hopefully they will stay here and not shop around for another job."
Reach Schlossman at 780-1129, (800) 477-6572 ext. 129 or bschlossman@gfherald.com .
Dave Hakstol season by season
2004-05: 25-15-5, national runner-up.
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2005-06: 29-16-1, national semifinalist.
2006-07: 24-14-5, national semifinalist.
Career record: 78-45-11.
