Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

Luke Strand was named Minnesota State's head coach on April 10, 2023, and in just three seasons, he has already made a significant mark on Maverick hockey. During his tenure, Minnesota State has compiled a 67-35-14 (.641) record, with two NCAA Tournament appearances, two CCHA MacNaughton Cup (regular season) championships, and two CCHA Mason Cup (postseason) championships.

In his first season, Strand led the Mavericks to an 18-15-4 overall record, including a 12-10-2 mark in the CCHA, earning the fourth seed in the Mason Cup Playoffs. Minnesota State swept Northern Michigan in the opening round before falling to Michigan Tech, 4-3, in the semifinals. For his efforts in his inaugural season, Strand was named a finalist for CCHA Coach of the Year. Senior captain Sam Morton earned CCHA Player of the Year and Forward of the Year honors and was later named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award before signing an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames.

In his second season (2024–25), Strand guided Minnesota State to a 27-9-3 record and the CCHA regular-season title with a 17-4-3 conference mark. The Mavericks captured the Mason Cup and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 4-2 win over St. Thomas. Minnesota State fell to eventual national champion Western Michigan, 2-1, in double overtime. Senior goaltender Alex Tracy was named an AHCA/CCM Second Team All-American and a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, while also earning CCHA Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year honors and finishing as a finalist for the Mike Richter Award. Defenseman Evan Murr was named CCHA Defensive Player of the Year, and forward Rhett Pitlick earned CCHA Forward of the Year honors. Strand was named CCHA Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, presented annually to the nation's top coach.

In 2025–26, Strand and the Mavericks again swept the MacNaughton and Mason Cups, finishing 22-11-7 overall and 14-7-5 in the CCHA. Minnesota State returned to the NCAA Tournament, falling to Western Michigan, 3-1, in the Loveland Regional. Strand repeated as CCHA Coach of the Year and was again named a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award. Murr repeated as CCHA Defensive Player of the Year and earned AHCA/CCM Second Team All-America honors.

Strand arrived at Minnesota State after serving as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 2022–23. He helped lead the Buckeyes to a 21-16-3 record, a third-place finish in the Big Ten, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by an 8-1 opening-round win over Harvard. Strand played a key role in the Buckeyes’ success, helping orchestrate a penalty kill unit that ranked among the nation’s best (.887), allowing just 18 power-play goals.

Prior to Ohio State, Strand spent five seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) as head coach and president of hockey operations for the Sioux City Musketeers. He guided the program to a Clark Cup championship in 2022 with a 41-16 record. The USHL is one of the top developmental leagues for college hockey talent, and more than a dozen players coached by Strand have been selected in the NHL Draft.

Strand has coached more than 800 games and brings extensive experience across multiple levels. He served as an assistant coach with the Green Bay Gamblers (2003–05), where he coached future NHL player Ryan Carter, a member of the Anaheim Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup championship team.

Strand went on to serve as head coach at UW–Eau Claire (2005–07) before coaching in the American Hockey League with the Houston Aeros (2007–09). He later returned to Sioux City as head coach (2009–11), coached with the Abbotsford Heat (2011–13), and spent the 2014–15 season with the Madison Capitols. He also served as associate head coach at the University of Wisconsin during the 2015–16 season.

On the international and scouting side, Strand was part of the USA Hockey World Junior A Challenge selection staff from 2017–2022.  During his time with USA Hockey, Strand won gold in 2010 with the World Junior A squad as well as bronze in 2023 as the head coach of the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup team. Additionally, he served 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 (USHL) before beginning a four-year collegiate career at UW–Eau Claire, where he also played baseball.

During his college career, Strand appeared in 104 games, recording 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points. He went on to play three seasons of professional hockey with the Madison Monsters and Madison Kodiaks of the UHL.

Strand has a son, Bryce. His wife, Sadie, has a daughter, Ella.