Mike Babcock Lands a New Coaching Gig Outside the NHL

As per a report by TSN’s Darren Dreger, Mike Babcock will be announced as the head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next week. Needless to say, it’s an odd announcement considering Babcock’s name is so heavily associated to the NHL and he just recently took a job working as an NHL analyst on NBC.

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Here’s a wild one. Sources say Mike Babcock will be announced head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next week.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 20, 2021

Dreger called it a “wild one”, hinting that this was an unexpected announcement. It’s not clear if that’s because Babcock’s name might have been connected to a different job, that he decided to get back into coaching after taking the analysts job or that he would decide to coach University Hockey.

Babcock did grow up in Saskatchewan, he did played a year under Dave King at the University and on June 2, 2016, Babcock was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) by the institution. There is history here.

Perhaps it’s an indication that the guy really wants to coach and this was the only place he could find work and still make the money he’s being paid by the Toronto Maple Leafs. They still owe him $6 million per year for a couple more years.

No Lose Situation for the Huskies?

For the Huskies, it’s an interesting idea. The team will get a big name coach that might help their players make the pros some day, or at the very least, teach them a lot about what it takes to be a pro. They don’t have to pay him well to bring him on board and he helps in recruiting talent.

There is the negative press that might come with Babcock’s previous history, but there are likely more positives than negatives for the school, if they’re at all worried about it.

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