The 2015-16 season will be Dan Stauber's 16th as the head men's hockey coach at UW-Superior. He enters the campaign with a record of 249-133-55, a mark that makes him the all-time wins leader among men's hockey coaches at UW-Superior. He surpassed longtime head coach Steve Nelson's total with a win over UW-Stout in the final game of the 2014-15 season.
Stauber took over the UW-Superior program in August 2000 and his impact was immediate. During his first season the Yellowjackets set program records for wins in a season (30), longest winning streak (19 games) and longest unbeaten streak (23 games) on the way to the program's eighth NCAA Frozen Four. The Yellowjackets were among the hottest teams in the nation but lost in the semifinals and finished the year with a record of 30-4-1.
The following season the Yellowjackets again were among the best teams in the nation, and again made a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four. This time the Yellowjackets completed their mission, coming from behind in the national championship game to defeat Norwich 3-2 in overtime and claim the program's second national championship, and first since 1976. For his efforts, Stauber received the Eddie Jeremiah Award, which goes to the top men's hockey coach in NCAA Division III.
Stauber led his teams to a pair of NCHA regular season and playoff championships, and five times guided a team to the NCAA tournament - 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2011. Two times he was named Coach of the Year by the NCHA or the WIAC.
During his tenure, numerous players received individual honors. Two players - Mike Wiggins (2005) and Chad Beiswenger (2009) were named NCHA Player of the Year. Over 70 players received all-conference recognition from the NCHA or WIAC and 18 players were named All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association.
Stauber began his coaching career as an assistant coach at UW-Eau Claire for three seasons. There, he had the chance to work under Mike Eaves, longtime coach at the University of Wisconsin and Troy Ward, who would coach at the NCAA Division I level as well as in the National Hockey League. From there he became the head hockey coach at Waupaca (Wis.) High School for three seasons before returning home to coach his alma mater, Duluth Denfeld for three seasons. He joined Steve Nelson's staff at UW-Superior, a position he held for two seasons (1998-2000) before becoming head coach.
In addition to coaching collegiately, Stauber has been invited to take part in numerous camps and clinics by the governing body of hockey in the United States, USA Hockey.
Expanding his coaching resume, Stauber was named the head men's golf coach in 2015 when UW-Superior reinstated its men's golf program.
As a player, Stauber played four seasons for the Yellowjackets (1984-88). He led the team in scoring as a freshman and was a team captain. Three times he received all-conference honorable mention. Following his time at UW-Superior, Stauber briefly played professional hockey in Sweden with Boras HC.
Stauber graduated from UW-Superior with a bachelor's degree in education in 1988. Later, he would earn his master's degree, also from UW-Superior, in education.
Stauber and his wife Julie, also a graduate of UW-Superior, reside in Hermantown. They have three children - Nora, Owen, a junior defenseman for the Yellowjackets, and Natalie.
