Minnesota Promotes Greg May to Lead Women’s Hockey Team

In a big move for Minnesota women’s hockey, Greg May just got promoted to head coach after spending three seasons as an assistant. This follows Brad Frost’s departure—he led the team for 19 seasons and racked up four national championships.

People around the program call Greg May “Boom,” and he brings both experience and a fresh outlook. He was head coach at Augsburg University and also worked as director of operations for the Minnesota men’s team.

May’s background covers both college and international hockey. Honestly, it feels like he’s got what it takes to push the Gophers back to the top of their conference.

Greg May’s Journey to Head Coach

May’s journey to head coach says a lot about his dedication to hockey. Before joining the Gophers, he spent two seasons leading Augsburg University’s men’s NCAA Division III team.

He sharpened his leadership skills as director of operations for the Minnesota men’s team under Bob Motzko. That’s a lot of time learning the ropes at different levels.

May also coached on the international stage as an assistant for the U.S. women’s junior national team. That team won gold at the U18 World Championships in January, which is no small feat.

All of this gives May a pretty wide-ranging skill set. It’s hard not to wonder how he’ll handle the challenges and opportunities that come with running a top women’s hockey program.

Building on Brad Frost’s Legacy

Brad Frost leaving really does feel like the end of an era for Minnesota women’s hockey. He led the Gophers to national championships in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016.

With his contract expiring, the program is clearly ready for a new chapter under May. May respects the traditions Frost built, but he’s also ready to bring his own ideas to the table.

He’s focused on building relationships and recruiting top talent—two things that are going to matter a lot during this transition.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Recently, the Gophers have been up against tough competition from Ohio State and Wisconsin. Those teams have basically owned the national scene since 2018.

May’s biggest challenge is to get Minnesota back to that level of consistent excellence. He wants to use his coaching experience and deep roots in Minnesota hockey to make it happen.

His success with the U.S. women’s junior national team shows he can develop and lead elite players. That experience could be a real difference-maker as he tries to close the gap with the Gophers’ biggest rivals.

Strategic Recruitment and Development

Recruiting and developing top-tier talent is one of May’s strong suits. Athletic director Mark Coyle even said that May really knows how to connect with and attract promising players.

May’s player development style is all about creating a supportive but challenging atmosphere. He wants athletes to thrive, not just survive.

By building a culture focused on excellence and growth, he’s aiming for a team that can compete at the very highest levels.

Community and Fan Engagement

May gets that hockey isn’t just about what happens on the ice. The support of the university and the Minnesota hockey community matters a ton.

He’s committed to strengthening those relationships and making sure the Gophers have a passionate fan base. Connecting with fans through events and outreach can really build pride and a sense of community around the team.

That support will be huge as the Gophers chase another national title. It’s going to be interesting to see how everything unfolds from here.