Michigan State Hockey announces Adam Nightingale extension

Following the most successful Michigan State hockey season in the past decade-plus, Adam Nightingale has signed an extension.

We had some great Michigan State hockey news coming out of East Lansing on Thursday morning. Michigan State AD Alan Haller confirmed that he signed Adam Nightingale to a contract extension. This is another big boost to the program and will create even more momentum for them moving forward.

In less than two years, Adam Nightingale has sparked a resurgence throughout the @MSU_Hockey program.

Today, Alan Haller announced that Nightingale has signed a new contract.https://t.co/G3F5hLszD7

— Michigan State Athletics (@MSU_Athletics) March 7, 2024

The new contract for Nightingale is a five-year rollover contract. It includes non-performance-related compensation for year one. This breaks down as a $600,000 base salary and $100,000 in supplemental compensation. Beginning in year two, the supplemental compensation will increase by $25,000 from the previous year. Nightingale will also receive retention bonuses every two years of $100,000. This will start Sept. 30, 2024, and be paid for as long as he is Michigan State’s coach.

The contract also includes an increased salary pool for the assistants and hockey staff.

Haller released the statement this morning regarding the deal. He talked about how Nightingale has sparked a resurgence in the program. He also mentioned how the success the program is having on the ice is only part of the story. He states off the ice, MSU’s student-athletes are performing very highly in the classroom. They are having a huge impact on the community, too. Spartan hockey players have established program records in cumulative GPA and semester GPA this past fall. They are also on track to finish as high this spring.

We have all taken notice of the Nighty Effect (trademark pending) in East Lansing. Munn is packed once again — sold-out crowd after sold-out crowd. The alumni base is returning. Current students and the community are embracing the success and are excited to see hockey return to being one of the pillars of success in MSU athletics.

On the ice, Michigan State hockey is 22-9-3 this season. That is good for the most wins for the program since 2007-08. Also capturing its first Big Ten regular season title speaks volumes.

Last season saw Nightingale win 18 games and lead MSU to its first-ever Big Ten Tournament win in a thrilling upset of Notre Dame. He finished as a finalist for Big Ten Coach of the Year and will most assuredly do the same this year for that award.

Msuspartans.com released a statement from Nightingale regarding the contract.

“Being the head coach of the Spartan hockey program continues to be a great honor — one that I do not take lightly. Our staff and players are thankful for the support we receive from the university, community, and alumni.”

He added that the “opportunity to represent them is a humbling experience”.

The Big Ten Tournament is on the horizon. A tournament that will see Michigan State get a first-round bye and then host a game at Munn Ice Arena starting March 16 for the semifinals of the tourney. After that, the Spartans will begin their quest for a national championship, hopefully qualifying for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Fans should try to make it to Munn on March 16 to support the team as it plays in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and tries to win its first-ever Big Ten tourney title.