F A N
Registered User
- Aug 12, 2005
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I could be wrong but always thought he just started his coaching career too late and was too old to learn/adapt to the NHL.
I'm assuming that coaching in the NHL is a very different game than the AHL, and worlds different than the CHL. Most coaches are former players that have hung them up and get a gig at the lower level in their late 20's to mid-late 30's. Desjardins on the other hand started with Medicine Hat at age 45, and was there for 8 years before moving up the ladder. I think that's how you create a guy who can be great at the lower levels but completely inept in the big league.
To be fair, most do fail as headcoaches at the NHL level. Willie did take an unusual route to the NHL and he probably should have been promoted earlier (I think most Stars fans felt he deserved the job over Gulutzan at the time).