BREEZY POINT — After one season, Northern Lakes head coach Mike Randolph resigned, he confirmed in a phone interview with the Dispatch Tuesday, March 11.

Randolph guided the Lightning to a 20-10-1 record this season, which included their first state tournament berth since 2021 and their first state tournament win in program history.

He became the all-time winningest coach in Minnesota history when he won his 708th game in his first game as Lightning coach. He currently sits with 727 wins.

Randolph, 73, said the reason for resigning was that coaching Northern Lakes wasn’t ideal for his family.

“When I coached at St. Thomas Academy for three years prior, I purchased an apartment in Eagan that was five minutes away from one of my daughter’s places and three of my grandkids,” Randolph said. “My wife still has stuff to do in Duluth and during the course of the season, being able to see family became much more difficult working in Pequot Lakes. So, the decision came down to what’s best for my family. It was a very difficult decision.”

Randolph noted the players and parents of Northern Lakes hockey were nothing but great to him.

“(Activities director) Bill Magnuson and principal Aaron Nelson could not have been better and understanding of my decision,” Randolph said. “The players were great. There’s a great sophomore class, so there’s a great future there. The parents were also great. But at this point in my career, my family will come before hockey.”

Northern Lakes defeated Alexandria 4-3 to dethrone the Cardinals as the three-time Section 6-1A champions. For Randolph, it was his 19th state appearance. He coached Duluth East for 32 seasons, including 18 state tournament appearances and two state titles.

The Lightning lost to eventual state champions East Grand Forks 3-0 in the state quarterfinals. Northern Lakes bounced back with a 5-3 win over Luverne in the state consolation semifinals — the first state tournament win in program history. The Lightning ended their season with a 4-0 loss to Northfield in the fifth-place game.

“It was a great year,” Randolph said. “The parents were outstanding, as were the players. That’s what made it a very difficult decision.”

Randolph hinted that his assistant coach, Tom Klein, could end up being his replacement.

“Tom, I believe is going to apply for the position and it’ll be seamless, because he worked with me the last three years,” Randolph said. “He’d be a good choice for them to fill in my position, because the parents, as well as the players, are familiar with him.”

Randolph made it clear. He is not retiring from coaching, yet.

“If something opened up around the Duluth area or around my apartment in Eagan and it was the right fit — I can’t say,” Randolph said. “It all remains to be seen. This could be it and I’ve had to come to that in my decision that this be it. I’ve had a great career. It’s been a lot of fun. I have to accept it and learn how to live without hockey.”

Northern Lakes will search for its third hockey coach in three seasons. In an email sent to the Dispatch, Magnuson stated his gratitude for what Randolph did for the Lightning program.

“With his decision to step down as the head coach of the Northern Lakes Lightning boys’ hockey team, the Pequot Lakes High School Activities Department would like to thank Mike Randolph for this past year of leading our team and program,” he stated. “Coach Randolph brought an extensive history of success and wisdom to our program to help guide our boys hockey team to their second ever trip to the Class 1A State Hockey Tournament. The level of play and discipline it takes to be successful was on display every time the Lightning were on the ice. We are appreciative of the experience and wish nothing but the best for coach Randolph.”