Long-time NHLer fired from coaching role in NCAA after seven seasons

After a seven-year tenure as the head coach of the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the NCAA, former NHLer Tony Granato has been fired.

The University of Wisconsin finished dead last in the Big Ten Conference this season with a record of 13-23 and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the University of Michigan. Under Granato, the University of Wisconsin had five losing seasons.

Granato, 58, spent parts of 13 seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. After his playing career was over, Granato became an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche, spending seven years with them, including two stints as their head coach. He also was an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009-2014) and Detroit Red Wings (2014-2016).

In 2018, Granato was named head coach of the United States for the Olympics in South Korea, leading them to a disappointing seventh place finish after a quarter-final loss to Czechia.

The Downers Grove (Illinois) native shouldn't be out of the game for long and there's a pretty good chance he'll be behind the bench in the National Hockey League next season.

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