Minnesota Gophers hockey head coach Don Lucia in 2009. (AP file)
After 19 years, two national championships, 13 NCAA tournament appearances and a recent run of disappointing seasons at the University of Minnesota, the Don Lucia Era of Gophers hockey will end.
Lucia stepped down as head coach on Tuesday and will become a special assistant to athletic director Mark Coyle through the end of next school year, when his hockey contact was set to expire.
Lucia coached Colorado College from 1993-1999 before going to Minnesota. He led the Tigers to the 1996 NCAA championship game, where Colorado College fell to Michigan.
This big change, described in a university news release as mutually agreed upon, comes two days after the Gophers failed to advance to the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years.
Lucia told his players of the move in a team meeting on Tuesday afternoon, a source told the Star Tribune.
Minnesota Gophers hockey head coach Don Lucia in 2009. (AP file)Don Lucia, just named the new University of Minnesota hockey coach, stands in the stands at Mariucci Arena on Friday, April 9, 1999, in Minneapolis. Lucia, a Minnesota native, comes to the team from Colorado College. Lucia replaces Doug Woog, who resigned this week. (AP Photo/Star Tribune, Tom Sweeney) (TOM SWEENEY)Don Lucia and the CC Tigers quietly watch as Michigan skates the ice after winning the national championship in 2996. (The Gazette file)Minnesota head coach Don Lucia watches his team play against his former team, Colorado College, at the World Arena on Feb. 7, 2003. Jay Janner/The Gazette (Jay Janner)11_5_99 s CCHOCKEY 4.JPG RICK SCIBELLI PHOTO // FORMER CC HEADCOACH, DON LUCIA ENTERED THE WORLD ARENA FOR THE FIRST TIME FRIDAY EVENING AS THE COACH OF THE MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS. THE GOLDEN GOPHERS ARE IN TOWN FOR A TWO GAME STAND. (RICK SCIBELLI PHOTO)Minnesota Gophers hockey head coach Don Lucia in 2009. (AP file)Don Lucia, just named the new University of Minnesota hockey coach, stands in the stands at Mariucci Arena on Friday, April 9, 1999, in Minneapolis. Lucia, a Minnesota native, comes to the team from Colorado College. Lucia replaces Doug Woog, who resigned this week. (AP Photo/Star Tribune, Tom Sweeney) (TOM SWEENEY)
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Minnesota head coach Don Lucia watches his team play against his former team, Colorado College, at the World Arena on Feb. 7, 2003. Jay Janner/The Gazette (Jay Janner)11_5_99 s CCHOCKEY 4.JPG RICK SCIBELLI PHOTO // FORMER CC HEADCOACH, DON LUCIA ENTERED THE WORLD ARENA FOR THE FIRST TIME FRIDAY EVENING AS THE COACH OF THE MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS. THE GOLDEN GOPHERS ARE IN TOWN FOR A TWO GAME STAND. (RICK SCIBELLI PHOTO)
