Mike Sullivan named Team USA coach for 2026 Olympics

Sully to guide Americans in two upcoming hockey tournaments

Mike Sullivan picked up another job, the Penguins’ bench boss has been officially announced as Team USA’s coach for the upcoming international events in 2025 and 2026.

From USA Hockey:

USA Hockey today named Mike Sullivan (Marshfield, Mass.), who has led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a pair of Stanley Cup titles, as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and also for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“We’re excited to have Mike guiding our teams,” said Bill Guerin, general manager of both the 2025 4 Nations Faceoff and 2026 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Teams. “He is one of the very best coaches in the game and his background, including with international hockey, is well-suited to help put our team in the best position to win.”

Over his 11 seasons as a head coach in the NHL, including the last nine with Pittsburgh, Sullivan has amassed a 445-275-115 regular-season record.

“Mike Sullivan is not only a great coach, but someone who has a strong passion for American hockey,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “He’s a world-class leader and been an important part of hockey in our country for a very long time.”

Sullivan’s involvement with USA Hockey spans parts of five decades, starting as a player when he was a member of the 1988 U.S. National Junior Team that competed at the IIHF World Junior Championship, and then on the U.S. Men’s National Team for the IIHF Men’s World Championship in 1997.

On the coaching front, Sullivan has served on the staff of multiple national teams, most recently as an assistant coach for the U.S. entry in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Ontario. He has also been an assistant coach for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy. In addition, he was the head coach of the 2007 U.S. Men’s National Team at the IIHF Men’s World Championship in Moscow and Mytischi, Russia, and an assistant coach for the 2008 U.S. Men’s National Team at the IIHF Men’s World Championship in Quebec City, Quebec.

“I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to coach Team USA in these two significant international events,” said Sullivan. “It’s been amazing to see the progress we’ve made in hockey in our country over the course of my career. I am honored to lead our best players and I look forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have Mike Sullivan leading these two teams,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey. It’s an exciting time for American hockey and with Mike’s leadership, we have a chance to do something special, not only next February, but in the 2026 Olympics as well.”

“Mike is not only an outstanding coach, but a great human being and leader,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “He was going to coach our team in the 2022 Olympics before the pandemic caused the NHL to not participate, so we’re very excited to have him back for the 2026 Games and also for the 4 Nations Faceoff.”