Arizona State hire Dave Hakstol as head coach

On September 30, Arizona State placed former head coach Greg Powers on leave, just prior to the start of its 2026-27 season. Assistant coach Mike Corebett has been acting as the program’s interim head coach in Powers’ absence.

Powers was placed on leave due to the tragic collapse and subsequent hospitalization of Arizona State defenseman and St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich on August 20. A school-led investigation into the incident revealed that Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout led by ex-Green Beret Timothy Ziesel in near 90-degree weather. Mayich remains in critical condition.

Seven Arizona State players then sent a letter to university president Michael Crow requesting Powers get put on leave, stating that Powers did not ensure Mayich received water or appropriate care, and that he misled the team about the severity of Mayich’s condition after his collapse. Hakstol’s hiring means that Powers’ time with the Sun Devils is finished.

Hakstol, 58, had been an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche since July of 2025.

The Drayton Valley, Alberta native is best known for his stints as a head coach in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers (2015-2018) and Seattle Kraken (2021-2024). More relevant to his new job with Arizona State, however, is his 11-year career as the head coach for the University of North Dakota (2004-2015). He led North Dakota to the NCAA Frozen Four seven times during that span, and was a finalist for national coach of the year eight times.

Hakstol’s arrival at Arizona State marks his first return to the NCAA since leaving for the NHL in 2015.