Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

Luke Strand was named Minnesota State's head coach on April 10, 2023.

In his first year at the helm, Strand guided the Mavericks to an 18-15-4 overall record (12-10-2 CCHA). After earning the No. 4 seed in the regular season, the Mavericks swept Northern Michigan in the first round of the Mason Cup Playoffs, but fell in the semifinal game to Michigan Tech (L, 4-3). Strand was named a finalist for CCHA Coach of the Year and captain Sam Morton was a Top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, signing an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames organization. 

In 2024-25, Strand guided Minnesota State to a 27-9-3 overall record (18-5-3 CCHA). The Mavericks went 17-4-3 at home and defeated University of St. Thomas 4-2 in the CCHA Mason Cup Championship. The Mavericks qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time in program history and fell 2-1 in double overtime to top-seeded Western Michigan. Junior goaltender Alex Tracy was a Top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, a finalist for the Mike Richter Award and CCHA Player of the Year. The Mavericks had three players named First Team All-CCHA and Strand was named CCHA Coach of the Year as well as a Spencer Penrose Award finalist for national coach of the year.

Strand arrived at Minnesota State after spending the 2022-23 season as an assistant at Ohio State where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a 21-16-3 record, including a third-place finish in the Big Ten Conference and a berth in the 2023 NCAA Tournament that included a convincing 8-1 opening round win over Harvard.  While at Ohio State, Strand played a key role in the Buckeye's success as he helped orchestrate the top-ranked penalty kill unit (.887).  The Buckeyes allowed just 18 power play goals this season.

Prior to his time at Ohio State, Strand coached in the highly competitive United States Hockey League (USHL) for the Sioux City Musketeers for five seasons, guiding them to an impressive Clark Cup title in 2022 behind a 41-16 record.  The USHL is regarded as one of the top producers of college hockey talent, including current Maverick Alex Tracy, who starred for Strand on that Clark Cup championship team, and Maverick forward Brendan Olson who also played for Strand in Sioux City. More than a dozen former Musketeers who played under Strand have been selected in the NHL draft.  While with the Musketeers, Strand also served the organization as President of Hockey Operations.

Strand is well-traveled and has experienced more than 600 games behind the bench.  During his time with the Green Bay Gamblers as an assistant coach (2003-05), Strand coached former Maverick Ryan Carter. Carter went on to a distinguished 12-year career in the NHL, including playing on a Stanley Cup championship team with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

Strand then became the head coach at UW-Eau Claire from 2005-07, before a stint as an assistant coach for the AHL's Houston Aeros (2007-09). Strand had his first stop in Sioux City as head coach for the Musketeers from 2009-11, joined the Abbotsford Heat (2011-13), then signed on with the Madison Capitals in 2014-15.   Additionally, Strand was an Associate Head Coach for the University of Wisconsin during the 2015-16 season.

Outside the collegiate game, Strand served as part of the USA World Junior "A" Challenge player selection team from 2017-2022 and also spent time as an amateur scout for the NHL's Calgary Flames in 2016-17.

A Wisconsin native, Strand played junior hockey for the North Iowa Huskies of the USHL before starting a four-year collegiate career at UW-Eau Claire, where he also played baseball.  During his time as a Blugold, Strand played in 104 games, scoring 41 goals and recording 44 assists for a total of 85 points. Following the stop in Eau Claire, Strand played three years of professional hockey for the Madison Monsters and Madison Kodiaks of the UHL.

Strand has a son, Bryce, and his wife, Sadie, has a daughter, Ella.

Luke Strand at Minnesota State Year-by-Year as Head Coach