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You are here: Home / Badgers / Back-to-back losing seasons costs Eaves his job (AUDIO)

Back-to-back losing seasons costs Eaves his job (AUDIO)

March 18, 2016 By Bill Scott

Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves. (Photo by David Stluka)

Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves. (Photo by David Stluka)

Mike Eaves has accomplished a considerable amount as Wisconsin‘s hockey coach in his 14-seasons on the job, not to mention a distinguished playing career.  But back-to-back losing seasons has cost Eaves his job.

Eaves remains the all-time leading scorer in program history, a three-time captain, a two-time MVP and a member of the UW Athletic Hall of Fame.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez fired Eaves today after the Badgers saw their season end with a 5-2 loss to Penn State in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

After a 24-win season two years ago, the Badgers have managed to win just 12-games over the last two seasons.  After winning just four games last season, the Badgers doubled that total, winning just eight this past season.

Wisconsin’s 4-26-5 record a year ago was the fewest wins and most losses in a single season in modern program history.

Alvarez told UWBadgers.com, “Our fans and everyone expect more.  With our facilities and what we have to sell, we feel we should be at a championship level.”

“I told Mike I appreciated the work he’s done here.  I also told him that we have great tradition and standards here in hockey.  He’s the gate-keeper of hockey. I’m the gate-keeper of the department. We both have a responsibility.”

Eaves accomplishments as a player and coach made the decision difficult for Alvarez.

“I like Mike and I respect Mike,” Alvarez said.  “All those things play into it.  That’s what makes it very hard.

“These are never easy decisions, but I’ve got a responsibility of the University, to our fans and to everyone else.  It’s just not acceptable at Wisconsin to have a hockey program in this state where we are right now.”

Eaves teams compiled a 267-225-66 (.538) record and made seven NCAA tournament appearances, including winning the 2006 NCAA title and finishing runner-up in 2010, during his 14 seasons at the helm.

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

AUDIO: Q & A with Badger hockey play-by-play voice Brian Posick on the Mike Eaves firing 14:00

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Filed Under: Badgers, News, Sports, Top Story Tagged With: Badgers, Barry Alvarez, Big Ten Conference, Mike Eaves





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