University of North Dakota Athletics

University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Bill Chaves announced on Saturday, March 29, 2025 that Dane Jackson has been named the 17th head coach of the North Dakota hockey program. The 2026-27 season will be his second as the head coach. 

"I am very humbled and appreciative of the opportunity to become the next leader of the North Dakota hockey program," said Jackson at the time of his hiring. "I feel fortunate of all the things that I have learned from the UND culture, and it is this special place that has shaped my playing and coaching career. I am looking forward to getting right to hard work with our staff to make our program and great University proud. I want to thank Dr. Andy Armacost, Bill Chaves and Erik Martinson for having the trust in me to lead this program."

It was a memorable first year at the helm for Jackson and the Fighting Hawks, as he guided UND to a 29-10-1 overall record, the most wins since the 2015-16 season, en route to a Penrose Cup as NCHC regular season champions as well as the program's first NCAA Frozen Four appearance since that same 2015-16 campaign. He earned multiple accolades, including NCHC Herb Brooks Coach of the Year and CHN Coach of the Year as well as being a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award for the nation's top collegiate hockey coach. 
 
Prior to becoming head coach, Jackson spent 19 years on the bench for North Dakota, serving as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2015-16 season. He primarily coached the team's forwards and penalty kill, while also working directly with UND's forwards and defense on individual skill development throughout the year. During his time as an assistant at UND, Jackson's penalty-killing units annually ranked among the best in the nation and led their conference in PK percentage seven times. UND also ranked among the top three in its conference in 12 of the 15 years under Jackson's tutelage.
 
Jackson joined UND in 2006 after serving as head coach and player personnel director for the Adirondack Frostbite of the United Hockey League. Prior to coaching at Adirondack, Jackson spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the American Hockey League's Manchester Monarchs. The Monarchs posted 102- and 109-point seasons during Jackson's two seasons there.
 
A native of Castlegar, British Columbia, Jackson played for UND from 1988-92 and registered 59 goals and 103 points in 150 career games, serving as an alternate captain as a senior. He was drafted in the third round (44th overall) by Vancouver in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.
 
After finishing his collegiate playing career, Jackson went on to enjoy an 11-year professional playing career that included stints in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders.
 
He was a captain five times during his professional playing career and won community service awards in two separate cities (Syracuse, N.Y. and Hamilton, Ontario). He was also honored with the Rochester Americans' (AHL) Leadership and Dedication Award in 2000-01.
 
THE DANE JACKSON FILE
Position: Head Coach
Hometown: Castlegar, British Columbia
Education: North Dakota (1992)
Family: Dane and his wife, Carrie, have three children: son Dillon and twins, son Dallas and daughter Lila.
 
CAREER IN HOCKEY
AS A COACH
2025-present: North Dakota (Head Coach)
2015-25: North Dakota (Associate Head Coach)
2006-15: North Dakota (Assistant Coach)
2005-06: Adirondack Frostbite (Head Coach/Director of Player Personnel)
2003-05: Manchester Monarchs (Assistant Coach)
 
AS A PLAYER
1985-87: Castlegar Rebels (KIJHL)
1987-88: Vernon Lakers (BCJHL)
1988-92: North Dakota (NCAA)
1992-93: Hamilton Canucks (AHL)
1993-95: Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
1994-95: Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
1995-96: Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
1995-98: Rochester Americans (AHL)
1997-98: New York Islanders (NHL)
1998-99: Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL)
1999-01: Rochester Americans (AHL)
2001-03: Manchester Monarchs (AHL)