On Monday, the University of Denver announced they had signed head coach David Carle to a multi-year extension. Carle, who has been head coach since 2018–19, has won National Championships in 2022 and 2024. He has also led the Pios to four Frozen Four tournaments.
“I am honored to have the University’s support for our hockey program over the last seven years and into the future,” said head coach David Carle. “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.”
The Rumors
Many people had linked Coach Carle to several openings in the NHL. This included teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks. Both clubs would have been a great fit for the young coach as they are rebuilding themselves. Earlier last week, it came out that Carle had actively removed himself from any consideration for the Chicago opening. This could have been why.
“I think you’re always open-minded to things that come your way and wanting to have those conversations and I think it only helps me learn and grow more,” said Carle. “It only helps our program in many ways and certainly some decisions needed to be made. But we chose to make the decision we thought was best for our family and that was obviously to stay here in Denver.”
“I think I’ve I’ve stated it before like the there’s no issue in being patient,” said Carle. “Twenty-seven of 32 jobs have turned over in the last three years. Some of those jobs have turned over multiple times. So the number is even higher than 27. So it’s a reality that. I’d be foolish to put my head in the sand and not think that’s a real thing. And at the end of the day, this is, I think, the best job outside the NHL, potentially a better job. And some guys in the NHL would trade with me if they had that opportunity. So I love working with our players. I love working in this environment.”
Why Carle Stayed
Over the last decade, the University of Denver has been investing a lot into hockey. They are the only school to have 10 National Championships and they do not have a football team. There have been upgrades to the locker rooms, rinks and the arena. All of this has been to draw players and make the fan’s experience that much better.
A new rule allowing CHL players to become eligible for the NCAA and not considered pro athletes has also opened up recruiting for the school. There is now a bigger pool of players that they can approach and bring to the university to make them more competitive in the long run.
“Yeah, it’s the standards and the expectations ever change,” said Carle. “It’s one of the great parts of working here and something that obviously we, as a program, have created long before I got here and it’s a wonderful opportunity in front of us. We had a large freshman class coming in the fall of 21’ prior to our 22’ championship. We had a large freshman class come in the fall of 23’ prior to our 24’ title in this year, this spring or summer, fall will be no different.”
David Carle pushed the point that he loves the rebuilding aspect of collegiate sports. He loves Denver and giving back to the town that he has spent the last 15 years in. Carle pushed a point that he was happy with DU and happy waiting for the perfect chance at a higher level.
