Coveted hockey coach David Carle stays with DU Pioneers

David Carle is staying in Colorado, signing a multi-year contract extension to extend his time at the University of Denver.

Carle has led DU for the past seven seasons, taking the Pioneers to a 179-74-17 overall record, the best winning percentage among DU hockey coaches in the program’s storied history. Carle has coached the Pios to the national title in both 2022 and 2024. The Pios just made their fourth Frozen Four appearance under Carle, joining Murray Armstrong as the only Denver coaches to reach the national semifinal four times in a six-year stretch.

“I am honored to have the University’s support for our hockey program over the last seven years and into the future,” said Carle in a statement from the University. “Without their support and the support of our fans, alumni and donors, nothing that we have accomplished would have been possible. The resources we have established have had a direct impact on the daily lives of current and future Pioneer hockey student-athletes, and we continue to raise the bar for success with these commitments.

“I am grateful for Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, Chairman John Miller, as well as the entire Board of Trustees and Vice Chancellor of Athletics Josh Berlo for their continued support of and investment in Denver hockey to ensure we maintain our position as the best college program in the country. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our student-athletes, coaches, administration, alumni, supporters and fans over the coming seasons. Denver is home for me and my family.”

Carle has been a hot commodity in NHL circles recently, listed as the favorite for the Chicago Blackhawks job — which he withdrew from contention. His name really began popping off because of his duties in charge of the United States National Junior Team. He’s led the Americans to consecutive gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships. It was the first time Team USA won consecutive World Junior Championships and marked the sixth and seventh titles in the country’s history.

Carle, 35, was the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey at the time of his hiring. He first joined DU as a student assistant under Jim Montgomery,

“Our program is tremendously grateful for the support we have received from our fans, alumni and donors. In today’s changing college athletic landscape, we are grateful for philanthropy and season-ticket holder support more than ever to help our program stay at the highest level,” says Carle. “The legacy of Denver hockey wouldn’t be where it is without the foundation laid by coach Murray Armstrong. My family and I are honored to support the Murray Armstrong Fund and become members of the Gold Standard Society with the signing of this agreement. I would invite others to honor Murray’s legacy and support current and future initiatives of Pioneer Hockey at a time when it is as crucial as ever.”

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