According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the Columbus Blue Jackets have apparently secured their next head coach. The team is expected to bring on board the veteran coach Mike Babcock.
The official announcement of Babcock’s hiring will take place after his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs expires on June 30. Babcock has been absent from coaching in the NHL since his dismissal by the Maple Leafs after just 23 games into the 2019-20 season.
Babcock, aged 60, initiated his head coaching career with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 2002-03 season, leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final during his inaugural year. Following his two-year stint in Anaheim, Babcock assumed the role of head coach for the Detroit Red Wings in 2005.
Over the course of a decade with the Red Wings, Babcock steered the team to two appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, clinching the championship in 2008. Departing Detroit after the 2014-15 season, Babcock left an impressive overall record of 458-223-105 with the storied franchise.
Ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, Babcock was hired by the Maple Leafs as their next head coach. While he guided Toronto to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2019, the team failed to advance beyond the first round under his guidance.
Babcock’s tenure in Toronto was marred by allegations of mistreatment from several players. Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore criticized Babcock’s coaching style, while former Red Wings forward Johan Franzen accused him of verbal abuse. Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios corroborated Franzen’s claims regarding these incidents.
During his time in Toronto, Babcock allegedly had star forward Mitch Marner rank his teammates based on their work ethic during his rookie season.
Babcock will take over from former Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen, who held the position for two seasons, finishing with a record of 62-85-16. Tasked with revitalizing a franchise that has only won 15 playoff games throughout its existence, Babcock faces a significant challenge.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about head coach hiring
Who is expected to be hired as the head coach by the Columbus Blue Jackets?
The Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to hire veteran head coach Mike Babcock.
When will the hiring of Mike Babcock be made official?
The hiring of Mike Babcock as the head coach will be made official after his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs expires on June 30.
What is Mike Babcock’s coaching experience?
Mike Babcock began his head coaching career with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2002-03 and later became the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings in 2005. He also served as the head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
What are some notable achievements of Mike Babcock?
During his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings, Babcock led the team to a pair of Stanley Cup Final appearances, winning the championship in 2008. He also guided the Toronto Maple Leafs to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Has Mike Babcock faced any controversies?
Yes, Mike Babcock has faced accusations of player mistreatment during his coaching career, including claims of verbal abuse by former players. These allegations have garnered significant attention and scrutiny.
Who was the previous head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets?
The previous head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was Brad Larsen.
What is the performance history of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the playoffs?
The Columbus Blue Jackets have won a total of 15 playoff games throughout their history, indicating a need for improvement and a desire to revitalize the team’s performance.
More about head coach hiring
- Report: Blue Jackets Expected to Hire Mike Babcock – The Athletic’s report on the Columbus Blue Jackets expected to hire Mike Babcock as their head coach.
- Mike Babcock’s Coaching Record – NHL’s official page highlighting Mike Babcock’s coaching career and accomplishments.
- Controversies Surrounding Mike Babcock – Sportsnet’s article discussing the controversies and allegations surrounding Mike Babcock’s coaching style.
- Columbus Blue Jackets Team History – Official NHL page providing information about the history of the Columbus Blue Jackets as a franchise.
5 comments
Wow, Columbus Blue Jackets going for Mike Babcock as head coach? That’s a big move! Can’t wait to see how he turns things around.
Finally, the Blue Jackets found their guy! Mike Babcock’s got the experience and track record to bring some success to Columbus. Good luck, coach!
Babcock may have had some controversy, but let’s not forget his past successes. If he can motivate the Blue Jackets, we might just see them in the playoffs more often.
About time they shook things up in Columbus. Hiring Babcock shows they’re serious about improving. Let’s hope he brings the Stanley Cup back to Ohio!
The Blue Jackets better be ready for some tough love from Babcock. He’s known for being a demanding coach, but if it gets results, I’m all for it.