Adam Nightingale, a Spartan alumnus with hockey experience at the international, professional, collegiate and youth levels, has been named the eighth head coach in Michigan State hockey history.

Nightingale comes to MSU after two seasons as head coach at the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and brings four years of NHL experience, including serving as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings in 2019-20. Known for his exceptional player development and recruiting ties, Nightingale was a two-year alternate captain as a Spartan student-athlete.

  "It brings me great pride to bring Adam Nightingale back to Michigan State University as the new head coach of Spartan hockey," said Alan Haller, MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Adam has a passion for the school and the program, and his combination of skill development, player development and recruiting ties promises to make the next era of Spartan hockey a successful chapter in the storied history of a proud program.

  "Spartan hockey has a rich tradition and an engaged alumni base which cares deeply about their program. Throughout this process, Spartan alums proved to be an invaluable resource to me. I put together an advisory group of alumni including some former All-Americans and NHL players, who played a significant role in helping me develop the criteria to identify the right coach for sustained success for Michigan State hockey. Beyond the advisory group, I had conversations with several other alums, including many with NHL experience as players, coaches and in the front office. Beyond Spartan alumni, I also connected with several members of the hockey community at both the professional and collegiate level, each of whom recognized MSU's great history and the importance of this hire to the program. It all played a role in helping me develop a better understanding for the college hockey landscape and the qualities our next coach needed to possess.

  "Criteria such as skill development, strong recruiting ties, style of play, respect throughout the hockey community and an ability to holistically develop student-athletes on and off the ice became the focus and guideposts for the search. Being a former Spartan player was not a requirement for either me or the advisory group. That was something that was very clear. My focus was finding the right fit based upon the developed criteria. In a thorough search, one which included conversations with some successful current head coaches, Adam matched all the established criteria.

  "One thing rang very clear throughout this process. Michigan State is one of the premier college hockey programs in the country. Everyone, from alumni to our loyal fans, has high expectations each and every year. I hope they're all smiling today because the future is bright for Spartan hockey. We will take the ice this fall in a renovated Munn Ice Arena, and across the board there is a renewed commitment to the program. Perhaps most importantly, Adam brings a thorough understanding of where we are as a program, and a clear plan for what's required to once again reach championship heights."

  Nightingale will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday, May 9.

  "I'm extremely thankful and humbled to have the opportunity to lead at Michigan State University," said Nightingale. "Spartan hockey is a source of pride for the University, the East Lansing community, and the entire state of Michigan. I'd like to thank Athletic Director Alan Haller, Deputy AD Jennifer Smith, and everyone involved in the search process for the opportunity to come back home and once again be a part of this storied program.

  "We will hire a staff that is well equipped to support our student-athletes and will be committed to developing them as a person, not just a hockey player.  We want to bring in high-level players with aspirations to work hard and help them develop to the point where they have the opportunity to play in the National Hockey League.

  "Our staff will put a premium on player development so that we can play an exciting and skilled brand of hockey.  We will continue the traditions of hard-working student-athletes who are standouts not only on the ice, but also in the classroom and in our community.   We look forward to building the program back to where our proud alumni and fan base know it should be, which is the top of college hockey."

  For the last two seasons, Nightingale has served as head coach at the USNTDP. He guided his current team to a silver medal at the U.S. Under-18 Men's World Championships last week.  His U-18 squad played 15 games against Division I competition throughout the 2021-22 campaign, going 8-7 and recorded an additional three wins over Division III schools.  His roster boasts 22 Division I commitments.   

Nightingale has now supported seven U.S. teams on the international stage, which includes his head coaching duties this season and as a coach for the bronze medal-winning 2021 U.S. Men's World Championship Team.  Previously, he was video coach for the U.S. Men's National Team three consecutive years (2017-19), including for the bronze medal-winning 2018 squad. He was also the video coach for the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team.

Prior to his time with the USNTDP, the Cheboygan, Michigan, native spent four seasons on NHL staffs. From 2017-20, he was a member of the Detroit Red Wings organization. As an assistant coach in 2019-20, he was responsible for player development, pre-scouting opponents and running the penalty kill. He worked as the video coach for his first two years in Detroit, a role he also held for the Buffalo Sabres in 2016-17.

  Before joining the pro ranks, Nightingale served as head coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary's 14U (Bantam) Team in Faribault, Minnesota, for two seasons (2014-16), leading the team to a national championship in 2016 as well as two years (2008-10) as the head coach of the Shattuck midget AA squad.

Between his stints at Shattuck, Nightingale was the director of hockey operations at Michigan State, serving at his alma mater overseeing all team video as well as team travel. 

While he began his collegiate career at Lake Superior State, (2000-02), the final two seasons of Nightingale's collegiate playing career came at Michigan State (2003-05). Over a combined 118 games, he totaled 37 points (18g-19a). At MSU, he served as alternate captain for two seasons, and won the Spartan Fitness Award in 2004. Nightingale then went on to play parts of four seasons in the ECHL with the Gwinnett Gladiators, Greenville Grrrowl and Charlotte Checkers.

Nightingale's family includes his wife, Kristin, and three children, Trevor, Emmerson and Keeton.  His older brother, Jason, is the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting for the Buffalo Sabres, while his younger brother, Jared, is also a Spartan alumnus and is currently the assistant coach for the Rockford Ice Hogs of the AHL.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT ADAM NIGHTINGALE ... 

Justin Abdelkader (MSU 2005-08, Detroit Red Wings 2008-2020; 2022 Olympian)
I had the pleasure to work with Adam in Detroit when he was an assistant coach with the Wings and also over the last two years with his team at USA Hockey. He really has a great way of connecting with his players and getting the most out them. His players respect him as a person and as a coach.  I look forward to him having the same impact on his players here at Michigan State.  

Torey Krug (MSU 2009-12, NHL 2012-present)
I spent hours talking hockey with Adam during our overlapping time at MSU. It was not only evident that he had a great hockey mind, but his passion for MSU and leadership skills would make him a great head coach someday. We are lucky to have such a great person behind the bench for the Spartans and I wish him and his family the best of luck as they move back in East Lansing!

    John-Michael Liles (1999-2003; NHL 2003-17; 2006 Olympian)
Adam Nightingale is a coach who our group believes will have a long and successful tenure at MSU. I was lucky to be on the advisory board for Alan Haller and and Jennifer Smith, and we focused on several key parameters in the hire of a new hockey coach.

  Adam was someone who excelled in each of these areas, and his coaching track record speaks for itself. His ability to bring in top-end recruits, while building MSU Hockey back into a national contender are just a couple of the many reasons why he was the right choice.

  I couldn't be happier for Adam and his family, as well as for the Spartan Hockey family going forward.

      Ryan Miller (MSU 1999-2002; NHL 2002-21; 2010 & 2014 Olympian)
Adam has always been a dedicated worker and a quality person. He has become a respected coach that is focused on developing skill along with character. I believe his work ethic and competitive nature will shine through as a great example to young players.

  It was an important hire for MSU and I think that AD Alan Haller and deputy AD Jennifer Smith were extremely proactive in leaning on alumni and important figures within the hockey world to help define what is needed from a modern college coach before hiring the best candidate.

Scott Monaghan, Assistant Executive Director of USA Hockey for the National Team Development Program and USA Hockey Arena
Adam is a tremendous coach who had a significant impact at the NTDP in what were two very difficult years navigating through a global pandemic.  He will be a great fit at Michigan State and we wish him the very best in building the Spartan program.