In a surprising move to some Mike Randolph, longtime Duluth East boys hockey bench boss, is now out as head coach at St. Thomas Academy. After three seasons the Cadets did not renew his contract. Talking with WDIO’s Alicia Tipcke on Thursday, he shared why.

“I had a meeting with the athletic director, who was not involved in this decision. He told me that they weren’t going to renew my contract, and I said ‘why’? He said ‘three simple reasons’. He said, ‘you didn’t make the banquet’. Which I didn’t, and the reason I didn’t make the banquet is we had that snowstorm,” Randolph said. He explained still living in Duluth the travel to St. Thomas Academy was not possible with streets still unplowed.

“And then he said, ‘You’re not visible enough in the school or in the community.’ In other words, you never really purchased a home or made a commitment to all that.” Randolph explained he was clear about maintaining his home with his wife in Duluth, both for their love of the area and her community involvement. He did rent a place near the school.

“Then the third thing, little thing he said, is some parents question the style of play. And I guess that’s a matter of opinion. I wouldn’t change the style of play based on input from somebody who’s never coached in their life. I always base the style of play on the team I’m dealt.”

Taking the Cadets to back-to-back section title games, Randolph said this move was a surprise. In his time with St. Thomas Academy he recorded a 49-30-3 overall record, reaching his 707th career win. That is tied for the all-time wins record.

“The win record isn’t important to me, I never did it for the win record. I did it because I love coaching kids. I think I impact kids. I have a phone full of text messages, emails, cards sent to me on the impact I had in their life,” Randolph shared. “I’m looking to end up somewhere, I hope. I’m getting calls already, but it’s got to be the right fit for them, and for me.”

Randolph added that he’s only interested in coaching at the high school level. He also said that if the right fit doesn’t come around he’s okay with taking the winter off.

St. Thomas Academy officially announced the hiring of Mark Strobel as Randolph’s replacement. He was the associate head coach for the Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey team, and previously served as an assistant for the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). Randolph indicated that the school seemed to have Strobel in their sights to take over prior to this official decision.

REALATED STORY: Mike Randolph out as head coach of St. Thomas Academy hockey.