Arizona State Pays Greg Powers $1.3 Million Buyout
The university is parting ways with the coach following the collapse of a student athlete during a workout.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hockey
Arizona State University has reached a mutual agreement to part ways with hockey coach Greg Powers, resulting in a $1.3 million buyout. The separation follows the hospitalization of sophomore player Matthew Mayich, who collapsed during an outdoor workout and remains unconscious.
Why it matters
The departure marks a major leadership change for the hockey program following the medical emergency involving a student athlete. Powers has agreed to cooperate with all ongoing legal investigations related to his employment and the incident.
Arizona State University is paying Greg Powers $1,329,807.69 in total buyout payments, representing 75% of the original contract value. The coach will also receive $85,000 in earned but unpaid bonuses.
The players
Greg Powers
He is the former head coach of the Arizona State University men's hockey team.
Dave Hakstol
He is the newly appointed head coach for the Arizona State University hockey program.
Matthew Mayich
He is a sophomore hockey player at Arizona State University currently recovering from a medical emergency.
The details
The university will execute the buyout in three installments, with the final payment scheduled for August 2028. Dave Hakstol has been named as the new coach for the program that originally signed Powers to his contract in 2022.
Timeline
The employment contract was originally signed in 2022.
The agreement was updated in 2025.
The second buyout installment is scheduled for August 2027.
The third buyout installment is scheduled for August 2028.
The original contract was set to expire in 2030.
Season Trajectory
This leadership change abruptly shifts the trajectory of the hockey program as it pivots to a new head coach mid-cycle. The move fundamentally alters the team's long-term competitive strategy while it simultaneously manages the fallout from an ongoing medical investigation.
The transition to Dave Hakstol signifies an immediate change in the team's coaching philosophy and tactical approach on the ice. Fans and analysts should track roster adjustments as the new coaching staff begins to implement its own systems for the remainder of the season.
The takeaway
The university's decision to settle the contract buyout underscores the high-stakes nature of collegiate athletic management during crisis periods. Future coaching contracts may now include stricter clauses regarding cooperation with institutional investigations.
What happens next
The second installment of the buyout payment is scheduled for August 2027, with the final payment due in August 2028.
Further reading
For more on the current status of the program, read the latest news in Hockey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
