FIRE THE COACH!! This age old answer to a team’s misfortunes will be around as long as games are played.

 

It seems to me that trigger happy general managers in sports have a quicker release than ever. I understand that GM’s that run underachieving teams will not fire themselves, and are reluctant to make wholesale player changes. However, the vast amount of “panic” coaching changes in 2008-2009 is ridiculous.

 

This week, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Michel Terrien was the 5^th NHL coaching causality (replaced by Dan Bylsma). As well, Terry Porter of the Phoenix Suns was the 8^th NBA Head Coach fired since opening night tip-off, which means that one-quarter of the NBA coaches were replaced since the all-star break. Porter was just four months into the job.

 

The Penguins have struggled much of the season, but Terrien is the same guy that guided the team to the 2008 Stanley Cup final. Memories sure can sure be short. Ottawa, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Chicago also made the coaching changes, with only the Blackhawks paying huge dividends.

 

In the Blackhawks situation, the much respected Joel Quenneville became available after earlier indicating he wanted a year away from the game. So, Denis Savard paid a price just four games into the season.

 

Meanwhile, the Senators are playing better since Craig Hartsburg’s demise; however, it's doubtful they will be a playoff team under Cory Clouston.

 

The Lightning also won't be playing in the post-season, despite firing Barry Melrose and replacing him with Rick Tocchet.

 

The Hurricanes may also not qualify even though they were in a playoff spot when Paul Maurice took over from Peter Laviolette.

In the NBA, the Philadelphia 76'ers and maybe the Phoenix Suns are the only teams (out of the 8 that made a switch) going to the playoffs.

The Toronto Raptors were 8-9 when they sacked Sam Mitchell. The team went into the all-star break 21-34. In other words, they were just 13-25 since likeable Canadian Jay Triano took over.

 

My rationale is clear; coaching changes, more often than not, don't work in mid stream. When the Vancouver Canucks lost eight straight and nine in a row on home ice, fans were calling for Alain Vigneault’s head. Well, GM Mike Gillis resisted the temptation and then Vancouver won four straight and six of seven and all of sudden the critics were silenced.

 

The WHL, on the other hand, (where just two teams in each Conference don't make the playoffs) has had just two coaching moves in the 2008/09 season. Portland made a switch once the new owners took over and they have remained out of playoff contention.


The PG Cougars were 10-18-0-1 when Drew Schoneck was dumped. The record under Wade Klippenstein is only slightly better at 13-18-0-1. Yes, the Cats are going to make the playoffs, under the Cougar Klipper, but in all likelihood they would have earned a spot even if Schoneck remained, especially considering how awful both Portland and Chilliwack have played.

 

Generally speaking (New Jersey Devils may be an exception), well respected organizations make major key coaching moves once a season has been completed and there has been a thorough performance review. Although the Montreal Canadiens are struggling, I doubt Bob Gainey will pull the trigger on Coach Guy Carbonneau. Gainey hasn't earned his stellar reputation as a top executive by listening to sports talk radio.

We have now evolved into the world of a “quick fix”. People in sports want a change as soon as something with their team is off kilter. But sometimes change for the sake of change isn't the answer, unless of course, it's politics and your name is George Bush.

 

 

I never slept alone till I got married. Bobby Hull, speaking at a banquet in Chicago, on growing up as one of 11 children.

 

A British Cabinet Minister is under attack for saying taking the drug ecstasy is no more harmful than horse riding. In Canada equestrian rider Eric Lamaze commented saying it is way more difficult when you do both. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Brian Cashman compared A-Rod to Humpty Dumpty. Yeah, in the playoffs, he always comes up Humpty Empty. Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

In 2007 Alex Rodriguez gave an interview to Katie Couric saying he never used or was tempted to use steroids. Well, this might turn out to be the second most damaging interview with Katie ever…. Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

A Fresno woman sold a rare baseball card for $64,000. Apparently it was one of the few cards still left of A-Rod before he took steroids. Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

Which makes you wonder what kind of steroids Oprah is on. Conan O'Brien of NBC, after Alex Rodriguez stated that overwhelming pressure caused him to resort to using performance-enhancing drugs.

And in case you missed it:

Previous Story - Next Story



Return to Home