AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 16
Monday, June 16, 2008
All’s Quiet On The Coaching Front
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s still very quiet on the coaching front today. Some may say…maybe too quiet. Obviously it’s frustrating to be sitting here in that latter part of June with still no head coach named yet, especially when we see others placing new bench bosses all around us.
And yes, I’ve even lampooned the fact that we are 240-some odd days into this process. However, there are a couple of logical reason why the information from Camp Spirit Group is sparse, to say the least.
First of all, the last thing in the world this organ-I-zation needs is to be given the Bill Parcells treatment the way the Falcons were last winter after Bobby Petrino packed up his skirts and pacifiers then ran out of town to the pig farm at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Even prior to Parcells playing Atlanta before heading to the tropics of Miami, Bill Cowher made it clear he wasn’t interested in taking over the team himself. Of course, if the former Steelers coach had come here…we would have had a “Cowher” following a “coward”. But, I digress.
To have it known that any potential coaching candidate(s) were sought after only to then tell Don Waddell and the Thrashers, “Thanks but no thanks”, would be embarrassing indeed. And it’s a situation to be avoided at all cost.
Also, the new coach doesn’t need to have the collar placed around his neck that reads, “I was the third choice”. Fans would know that and, more importantly, so too would the players. This is especially true given the fact that one of the most important things the new coach needs to instill into this team is a sense of discipline. Hard to do that if they know the guy blowing the whistle at practice really wasn’t even the front office’s first choice to begin with.
We know that Waddell was set to meet with Tampa Bay assistant coach Mike Sullivan last weekend. One would also have reason to believe that John Anderson has officially been considered in the past week or so since the Wolves season came to a successful end. But, outside of that, no real news has been forthcoming.
End the end…the important thing is to hire the right person. One that makes us all believe that the wait was worth it.
The Hockey News Buffet Line Is Now Open
Is Marian Hossa worth $50 million over seven years?
John Tortorella has been rumored by some to be heading here. But, Damian Cristodero thinks L.A. is his last option..
Will the expiration of the transfer agreement between the NHL and IIHF mean open season for European free agents?
You think Atlanta has issues this summer? Try being a Nashville Predators fan.
The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Ryan Potulny to a 1-year contract.
And finally…ladies, think you have what it takes to be a member of the Atlanta thrashers’ Blue Crew? Well, here is your chance.
