Cory McCracken is entering his fourth season with the Maverick program after joining MSU in the summer of 2023. In June of 2026, McCracken was named the program’s Director of Player Personnel a position that includes oversight of roster management, recruiting strategy, player acquisition, and long-term personnel planning while continuing his on-ice coaching responsibilities.
During his time at Minnesota State, the Mavericks have compiled a 67-35-14 record during their tenure, capturing both the CCHA Regular Season Championship (MacNaughton Cup) and CCHA Mason Cup Championship in 2025 and 2026. The coaching staff has also guided Minnesota State to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
With McCracken on the staff, Minnesota State players have earned seven conference major awards, including Sam Morton (Forward of the Year, 2024; Player of the Year, 2024), Alex Tracy (Goaltender of the Year, 2025; Player of the Year, 2025), Rhett Pitlick (Forward of the Year, 2025), and Evan Murr (Defensive Player of the Year, 2025 and 2026). Tracy (2025) and Murr (2026) were also recognized as CCM/AHCA Second Team All-Americans.
Over the course of their tenure at Minnesota State, head coach Luke Strand, Associate Head Coach Keith Paulsen and McCracken have helped 24 Mavericks advance to professional hockey, further solidifying the program’s reputation for developing players on and off the ice.
McCracken, who owns a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, served as the head coach for Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay from 2006-2023. In 2012 he was named the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
McCracken helped guide Notre Dame Academy to championships in 2012 and 2016. During his time with NDA, McCracken has saw five players go on to be NHL draft picks, seven players selected to the National Team Development program, 21 players that signed professional contracts and over 50 players that advanced to play NCAA Division I Hockey, including former Mavericks Jordan Steinmetz and Brenden Olson and current Mavericks Sawyer Scholl, Jacob Conrad, Bryce Strand, Sam Kappell and Gus Thorpe.
In addition to his duties with Notre Dame Academy, McCracken has also served as the Director of Player Development with the Sioux City Musketeers. He worked as the Assistant Director of Player Development with USA Hockey's Central District from 2014-2023 and currently serves as the Director of Player Development for the district. McCracken has also held the position of co-director of Player Development for Wisconsin Amateur Hockey since 2010.
