After a rocky six years at the helm in East Lansing, head hockey coach Tom Anastos is stepping down.

After a 7-24-4 record in 2016-17 that put Anastos' Spartan career coaching record at 78-122-24 the school and coach are in agreement on a separation.

“As a leader, I believe that you must always make every decision based on what’s in the overall best interests of the program, and never put personal interests first. After lengthy conversations with Mark Hollis, I am stepping down from my role to help facilitate a change in leadership and direction for Spartan hockey." Anastos said in a statement.

Anastos took the Spartans to the NCAA tournament in his first year behind the bench but has not repeated that feat since and only one other time was over .500 in a year (2014-15, 17-16-2).

As for Anastos' replacement, Athletic Director Mark Hollis does not have a successor or a timetable in mind but news did surface on an interim coach.

Michigan State hockey won't take the ice again until the fall. A schedule has yet to be released for next season. A new coach could be something the Spartans need in order to turn their recent fortunes around.

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