With the surprise announcement that Brian Idalski will be leaving St. Cloud State to become the inaugural head coach of PWHL Vancouver, the Huskies face a critical decision. Idalski helped elevate the program’s competitiveness in the WCHA during his tenure, and his successor will be tasked with maintaining that upward trajectory. Here’s a breakdown of the leading candidates to take the reins—and how their credentials stack up in 2025.
After successfully including Courtney Kessel in our list of candidates for the Princeton head coaching role, let’s see how we do on this analysis:
🔝 Leading Contenders
Jinelle Zaugg‑Siergiej
- Current Role: Associate Head Coach, St. Cloud State (2019–present)
- Why She’s a Top Choice:
A silver medalist with Team USA (2010) and two-time NCAA champion at Wisconsin, Zaugg‑Siergiej has been a steady hand behind the bench for the past six seasons. She knows the program inside and out, has strong relationships with current players and recruits, and would provide continuity at a time of transition. She has never been a head coach, but she’s well-positioned to step up.
Mira Jalosuo
- Current Role: Assistant Coach, PWHL Minnesota (2023–present)
- Why She’s a Top Choice:
After spending the 2022–23 season as an assistant at St. Cloud, the Finnish Olympian joined Ken Klee’s staff in the PWHL and helped guide Minnesota to back-to-back Walter Cup championships. Known for her defensive acumen and elite playing background, Jalosuo brings both credibility and a championship mentality. Her return would inject high-level tactical knowledge and energy into the program.
Molly Engstrom
- Current Role: Head Coach, University of Maine (since 2022)
- Why She’s a Top Choice:
A former assistant at St. Cloud State (2018–2022) and two-time U.S. Olympian, Engstrom has transformed Maine into a defensively responsible team. She was one of three finalists for the St. Cloud State job in 2022 before Idalski was ultimately hired. Her success at Maine and familiarity with SCSU make her a very attractive candidate—if she’s interested in returning.
Erik Strand
- Current Role: Assistant Coach, University of Vermont (since May 2025)
- Why He’s a Top Choice:
Strand was also a finalist for the SCSU head coach role in 2022. Prior to joining Vermont, he spent 10 years as head coach at UW–Eau Claire, guiding the DIII program to consistent success, including multiple NCAA tournament appearances and conference championships. A veteran of player development and known for his high-character leadership, Strand is ready for the Division I spotlight.
🔁 Long-Shot Options
Jeff Giesen
- Current Role: Associate Head Coach, Minnesota State
- Why He’s Notable:
Giesen was St. Cloud State’s head coach from 2006 to 2014, leading the team through eight seasons. While he’s been at Minnesota State for nearly a decade, his familiarity with the Huskies’ program and the WCHA landscape gives him a theoretical path back—though it’s unclear whether he’s looking for a return to head coaching.
Britni Smith
- Current Role: Head Coach, Syracuse (since 2022)
- Why She’s Notable:
A former Clarkson assistant and Hockey Canada coach, Smith has turned around Syracuse’s program in the CHA. While she’s respected as a rising leader, her current commitment at Syracuse may keep her focused out east.
Nick Carpenito
- Current Role: Associate Head Coach, Northeastern
- Why He’s Notable:
A key architect of Northeastern’s success over the past decade, Carpenito is highly respected in NCAA circles. A jump to head coach in the WCHA would be a bold but potentially rewarding move—for both sides.
Greg May
- Current Role: Associate Head Coach, Minnesota (joined July 2023)
- Former Augsburg University DIII Head Coach (Sept 2021–July 2023), where he led the team to back-to-back NCAA Division III appearances and MIAC titles with a 41–15–2 record
- Named an assistant coach for the 2026 U.S. Women’s U18 National Team
- Why He’s Notable: Proven leadership at DIII and college program building. Now adding national-team experience. A fresh, well-rounded external hire.
Dan Koch
- Current Role: Assistant Coach, University of Wisconsin
- Why He’s Notable:
Koch has spent years in the powerhouse Wisconsin program, developing elite players. Like others on this list, he’d represent a fresh external hire with deep knowledge of what winning programs look like.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Familiarity or Fresh Blood?
St. Cloud State has no shortage of qualified candidates, and their decision may ultimately come down to priorities:
- If the goal is continuity, promoting Zaugg‑Siergiej or recruiting Jalosuo back from the pros makes the most sense.
- If the program seeks a proven leader, Engstrom or Strand—both past finalists—are strong, familiar names with NCAA and program-building experience.
- For a bold shake-up, external hires like Carpenito, Smith, or Koch could introduce a new culture and broader recruiting reach.
Whoever takes over will inherit a program on the rise and a passionate fanbase eager for sustained WCHA and NCAA success.