OSU Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Muzerall becomes winningest head coach

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As college hockey plays out, the Ohio State Women’s Ice Hockey team is contending for a national title.

What You Need To Know

• Coach Muzerall becomes the winningest head coach in OSU Women’s Ice Hockey program history
• She’s led the team to more than 180 wins over 8 seasons
• Ohio State has played in the Women’s ‘Frozen Four’ three straight years, winning it all in 2022

The team’s success on the ice has a lot to do with their coach, who has now won more games than any coach in the program’s history.

“You’re preparing to go to battle and go to war every Friday and Saturday. I love that piece of coaching,” said Coach Nadine Muzerall.

Muzerall is the team’s general, leading Ohio State to more than 180 wins over eight seasons. That’s more than any other coach in program history. 

“It’s great and it’ll be in the record books, hopefully, you know, for a while,” said Muzerall.

But earning that wasn’t easy. She knew that eight years ago when she first got the call. 

“Got the call to be the head coach for the Buckeyes,” she said. “I remember my husband just said, ‘Are you out of your mind? This is the Ohio State. It doesn’t get any bigger than this. This is the pinnacle of athletics.’ I remember saying, ‘Their hockey team’s not very good’. And he goes, ‘Well go. Fix it.’”

That became Muzerall’s priority. 

“A lot of missed birthdays, anniversaries missed with my husband, a lot of, you know, sporting events I miss for my kids,” she said. “I made a lot of sacrifices for the greater good of the team and the program. And I don’t regret it.”

Muzerall’s passion rubs off on her players, like Jenn Gardiner, one of the team’s leading scorers.

“She’s been basically a mentor and almost a mother, while I’m at my home away from home,” said Gardiner. “So yeah, she just inspires us every day.”

Next on Muzerall’s sights, she says, “We want to get the trifecta… win all three, which has never been done before in program history.” 

But until then, Muzerall will continue doing what she loves and winning while she’s at it. 

“I’m getting to go to work and win games and that to me again is just the rushing, the adrenaline, and it’s exciting for me,” said Muzerall.

Ohio State has played in the Women’s ‘Frozen Four three straight years, winning it all in 2022. They’ll likely be a top seed come tournament time this year.