San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters about the decision to fire David Quinn as the team's head coach.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters about the decision to fire David Quinn as the team's head coach.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters about the decision to fire David Quinn as the team's head coach.
Grier and Quinn are Boston area natives and have a personal history together, making this decision even harder.
"It's a difficult day for me [and] for the organization. For me personally, knowing Quinn for as long as I have, he's a good coach and a great person. I'd like to thank him and his staff for the job they did under difficult circumstances, for sure," Grier said as his opening message. "They did a good job with the morale of the group and motivating them throughout. Tough decision and tough day."
Grier was non-committal about Quinn keeping his job during his exit interview and said a lot of evaluation still needed to happen.
"The roster was what it was. It wasn't a playoff team by any means. Like I said, I think they did a good job. There were some things I don't really want to want to get into too much that we would have liked to have seen better," Grier said about the decision. After going through our process and digesting this and speaking, same as they did last year, kind of going through the process of evaluating everything and it was what we needed to do and get a new, different voice for the group."
Grier didn't get into his conversations with people and players within the organization but continued to say that a new voice was needed.
"It's all part of the autopsy of the season. All those things go into it. Talking with the staff, players, owner, [and] everyone who's in the hockey ops department," Grier explained. "That's part of the process of evaluating everything. The decision probably wasn't made till late last night."
Grier confirmed that the assistant coaches will remain on the staff but are free to look elsewhere for work should something come up. He also said that whoever is brought in will have a chance to speak with them and decide from there.
As for what the team needs going forward, Grier once again kept his thoughts to himself.
"That's something I'm not ready to get into. Meeting with the players and reviewing the season, I think I have an idea of what they're looking for, what they need, and what I think they need," he said.
Grier said he wants the next coach of the San Jose Sharks to have some professional hockey experience, but he didn't rule out any candidate.
"I'm not going to rule out anything or anyone," Grier said. "If a candidate comes up and they blow us away. At the same time, I think someone who's had some sort of time or experience in the NHL would definitely be beneficial. Or pro hockey would be really beneficial. I don't want to rule anyone out."
The GM told reporters that the team's record wasn't the main factor behind the decision.
"I didn't really factor into it, too, too much. Obviously, it's something I was aware of. But at the same time, going into the season, I kind of knew what the roster was and wasn't expecting us to be a playoff team," Grier said. "This season [did] go a little worse than expected, but you know, it's not all performance-related."
Grier said he expects John McCarthy to return as the head coach of the team's AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
Hiring a new coach will take time, and with such a young team, Grier wants to ensure he's bringing the right guy in for the job.
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