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Apr. 3—GRAND FORKS — Dane Jackson recounted how he learned about UND hockey as a teenager growing up in Castlegar, B.C.
"I used to get Sports Illustrated," he said. "There wasn't a lot of hockey in it. But I read an article about UND and how Gino Gasparini had led the program to its third national title in (eight) years. I read about the Hrkac Circus and Bob Joyce, Eddie Belfour in the nets, and I saw the comments from the guys about the program. It just impacted me so much."
Jackson committed to UND on his visit — during the middle of a blizzard — a year later. He spent four years as a player, serving as alternate captain as a senior. He came back and spent 19 years as an assistant coach.
On Thursday, he was introduced as the 17th head coach in UND hockey history.
Jackson, 54, outlined his vision for UND hockey during an introductory press conference in the lobby of Ralph Engelstad Arena on Thursday morning.
Current players sat in the front two rows. Former players filled in behind. Former UND head coaches Dave Hakstol and Gasparini sat next to each other.
After short remarks by UND President Andy Armacost and athletic director Bill Chaves, Jackson gave a 10-minute speech.
"North Dakota has always been built differently," Jackson said. "We've been built on demand, the character, the toughness, the grit and guys that rise up in big moments. That's what our coaches have picked through years. We will get back to that. We've done that a lot. We'll make sure that's a core identity of ours.
"Our core identity will be to get the right players for the right reasons that want to play at UND to win championships, to develop as a player and a person, be part of historic program and be immersed in an awesome culture — driven-focused teammates and coaches."
Jackson replaces Brad Berry, who was let go March 23 after a decade at the helm.
Berry led UND to an NCAA national championship and five Penrose Cups as National Collegiate Hockey Conference champions during his decade at the helm. UND has missed the NCAA tournament two of the last three seasons.
"Our goals are to win NCHC championships and national championships," Jackson said. "We've won six Penrose Cups in the last 12 years — as many as the rest of the league combined. Very proud of that. But we know we're measured by national championships at UND. That's what we will tailor our plans toward — winning another green banner.
"Our staff will dedicate our lives to making UND a perennial power in college hockey and make you all proud."
Jackson outlined some tweaks he wants to make.
He said he wants to modernize the program, especially with recruiting. He will hire a general manager as one of his assistant coaches. That person will be dedicated to roster management.
Jackson also said he will prioritize players who have a passion for the program and who fit the team's identity.
"We will have a hard-nosed, accountable environment where everybody meets the standard," Jackson said. "We're going to commit to a no-excuses process. Our promise is we'll outwork, outcompete and outprepare opposition. Every practice, every workout, every meeting, we'll pay attention to the details and commit to the work."
UND expedited the coaching hire with the NCAA transfer portal in mind.
The search lasted a week. UND posted the job Monday, March 24. It closed two days later. Chaves was handed the applicants from human resources last Thursday.
UND interviewed "more than five" candidates Friday, Chaves said.
Four received secondary interviews Saturday — Jackson, Waterloo Black Hawks head coach Matt Smaby, Western Michigan associate head coach Jason Herter and U.S. Under-17 Team head coach Nick Fohr. Jackson, Smaby and Herter played at UND. Fohr is a Grand Forks native.
At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Chaves called Jackson and told him to be at Hyslop Sports Center at 7 p.m.
"No indication," Jackson said. "I was like, 'Can you let me know what's going on?' And he was almost kind of stern, so I was on pins and needles for a couple hours."
When Jackson arrived, Chaves said: "Are you ready to be the next head coach at the University of North Dakota?"
Jackson answered: "I didn't know why I was coming to this office right now."
They hammered out
terms of an agreement
— a full contract will be signed soon — and an announcement was made to the public just before 10 p.m.
UND set the press conference for Thursday so Armacost could attend.
"It's an important day for UND hockey, our premier sport at the University of North Dakota," Armacost said. "It sets a tone for the whole campus. Dane, your leadership will certainly set a tone for this team and continue the rich tradition of head coaches across the storied history of this program."
Chaves was asked why he made an internal hire after firing Berry.
"We're in an interesting time in Division-I athletics right now," Chaves said. "We need to modernize some of the things that we do. We have to look at everything we do right now. We have to make sure we are staying up to date with what's transpiring in the landscape. I thought that Dane provided a very clear plan moving forward."
Chaves said he received feedback from more than 25 former players during the search process. He declined to name who reached out.
"Many, many indicated their experience with Dane and how they thought the identity by which he played with, and he coaches with, was the identity in which the University of North Dakota has had success with," Chaves said.
Gasparini, who recruited Jackson to campus as a player, said he approved of the choice.
"He's been here a long time and he deserves the opportunity," Gasparini said. "Dane Jackson is a good man. We lost a good man in Brad Berry. But Dane is part of the environment that's been a big part of this program for the last 50 years. He'll do just fine."
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"I used to get Sports Illustrated," he said. "There wasn't a lot of hockey in it. But I read an article about UND and how Gino Gasparini had led the program to its third national title in (eight) years. I read about the Hrkac Circus and Bob Joyce, Eddie Belfour in the nets, and I saw the comments from the guys about the program. It just impacted me so much."
Jackson committed to UND on his visit — during the middle of a blizzard — a year later. He spent four years as a player, serving as alternate captain as a senior. He came back and spent 19 years as an assistant coach.
On Thursday, he was introduced as the 17th head coach in UND hockey history.
Jackson, 54, outlined his vision for UND hockey during an introductory press conference in the lobby of Ralph Engelstad Arena on Thursday morning.
Current players sat in the front two rows. Former players filled in behind. Former UND head coaches Dave Hakstol and Gasparini sat next to each other.
After short remarks by UND President Andy Armacost and athletic director Bill Chaves, Jackson gave a 10-minute speech.
"North Dakota has always been built differently," Jackson said. "We've been built on demand, the character, the toughness, the grit and guys that rise up in big moments. That's what our coaches have picked through years. We will get back to that. We've done that a lot. We'll make sure that's a core identity of ours.
"Our core identity will be to get the right players for the right reasons that want to play at UND to win championships, to develop as a player and a person, be part of historic program and be immersed in an awesome culture — driven-focused teammates and coaches."
Jackson replaces Brad Berry, who was let go March 23 after a decade at the helm.
Berry led UND to an NCAA national championship and five Penrose Cups as National Collegiate Hockey Conference champions during his decade at the helm. UND has missed the NCAA tournament two of the last three seasons.
"Our goals are to win NCHC championships and national championships," Jackson said. "We've won six Penrose Cups in the last 12 years — as many as the rest of the league combined. Very proud of that. But we know we're measured by national championships at UND. That's what we will tailor our plans toward — winning another green banner.
"Our staff will dedicate our lives to making UND a perennial power in college hockey and make you all proud."
Jackson outlined some tweaks he wants to make.
He said he wants to modernize the program, especially with recruiting. He will hire a general manager as one of his assistant coaches. That person will be dedicated to roster management.
Jackson also said he will prioritize players who have a passion for the program and who fit the team's identity.
"We will have a hard-nosed, accountable environment where everybody meets the standard," Jackson said. "We're going to commit to a no-excuses process. Our promise is we'll outwork, outcompete and outprepare opposition. Every practice, every workout, every meeting, we'll pay attention to the details and commit to the work."
UND expedited the coaching hire with the NCAA transfer portal in mind.
The search lasted a week. UND posted the job Monday, March 24. It closed two days later. Chaves was handed the applicants from human resources last Thursday.
UND interviewed "more than five" candidates Friday, Chaves said.
Four received secondary interviews Saturday — Jackson, Waterloo Black Hawks head coach Matt Smaby, Western Michigan associate head coach Jason Herter and U.S. Under-17 Team head coach Nick Fohr. Jackson, Smaby and Herter played at UND. Fohr is a Grand Forks native.
At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Chaves called Jackson and told him to be at Hyslop Sports Center at 7 p.m.
"No indication," Jackson said. "I was like, 'Can you let me know what's going on?' And he was almost kind of stern, so I was on pins and needles for a couple hours."
When Jackson arrived, Chaves said: "Are you ready to be the next head coach at the University of North Dakota?"
Jackson answered: "I didn't know why I was coming to this office right now."
They hammered out
terms of an agreement
— a full contract will be signed soon — and an announcement was made to the public just before 10 p.m.
UND set the press conference for Thursday so Armacost could attend.
"It's an important day for UND hockey, our premier sport at the University of North Dakota," Armacost said. "It sets a tone for the whole campus. Dane, your leadership will certainly set a tone for this team and continue the rich tradition of head coaches across the storied history of this program."
Chaves was asked why he made an internal hire after firing Berry.
"We're in an interesting time in Division-I athletics right now," Chaves said. "We need to modernize some of the things that we do. We have to look at everything we do right now. We have to make sure we are staying up to date with what's transpiring in the landscape. I thought that Dane provided a very clear plan moving forward."
Chaves said he received feedback from more than 25 former players during the search process. He declined to name who reached out.
"Many, many indicated their experience with Dane and how they thought the identity by which he played with, and he coaches with, was the identity in which the University of North Dakota has had success with," Chaves said.
Gasparini, who recruited Jackson to campus as a player, said he approved of the choice.
"He's been here a long time and he deserves the opportunity," Gasparini said. "Dane Jackson is a good man. We lost a good man in Brad Berry. But Dane is part of the environment that's been a big part of this program for the last 50 years. He'll do just fine."
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