Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Coaching Search: Briere Talks Qualities, Timeline, and Who Could be in the Running
The Philadelphia Flyers will be hiring a new head coach this offseason. The next head coach will be one of the most important and impactful hires in a long while. With the Flyers looking to take the next step in their rebuild and transition from a lottery team to a playoff contender, this decision is crucial.
In his end-of-season press conference, Flyers’ general manager Daniel Briere addressed the media and talked about many aspects of the head coaching search.
Briere said, “In the short run, I think it’s fair to say that this will probably be the first thing, or the most important thing, we address.”
The Flyers still have some end-of-the-season tasks to close up, and then, it is time for the head coaching hunt to commence.
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What are the Flyers Looking for in their Next Head Coach
A lot of emphasis on day one of locker cleanout was put on asking veterans like Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, and Travis Sanheim what they are looking for in the next head coach. That same question was asked of Briere when he took the podium.
“I always think communication is important. So that is going to be something we look into. I mentioned the day after or the same day we let go of Torts, someone that can come in and teach will be an important one as well. Communication and teaching are probably two things that will be at the forefront of our next coach. Just when you have a young team in place, I really think those two attributes are extremely important.”
When asked if players will sit in on some of the conversations and have a voice in who the next coach will be, Briere said this:
“I think sometimes the players will give you some information on how they feel. But I think we are around the team, we are around the dressing room enough to understand what we need and what’s needed moving forward with the players that we have.“
Another question asked Briere if he is looking for a softer hand as a head coach after having arguably the heaviest hand out there in John Tortorella.
Briere recognized that it’s tough to find someone more vocal than Tortorella.
“I don’t think there’s very many options that are going to be as demanding as Torts. So, in that regard, our guys are pretty sturdy. They’ve learned the hard way under Torts. Anybody that comes in will seem a lot milder than Torts, I would expect. So, it’s definitely going to be someone who’s going to be less vocal and hard than Torts was.”
Will Brad Shaw be Considered?
Brad Shaw did a solid job as the interim head coach of the Flyers. In his nine games as head coach, Shaw and the Flyers had a 5-3-1 record. The team did lose its final three games, but nonetheless, Shaw’s time as head coach seemed positive.
When asked if he’d be in consideration for the head coaching position, here is what Briere said about Shaw:
“As far as Shawsy goes, he did a really good job coming in. It was kind of a different approach than obviously Torts had, and some guys really stepped up and seemed like they were a little freer. Shawsy will be in the running, and we will consider him. He’s done a good job. We’ve been impressed with him since he was here, even under Torts.”
It was a job that at one point was nearly certain to be an outside hire, then Shaw threw his hat into the ring.
Read More: Five Likely Candidates to be the Next Flyers Head Coach
Briere Open to the College Route
Flyers fans may be a bit weary of going the college route for the head coaching vacancy. After Dave Hakstol, it’s understandable.
David Carle, the current head coach of the University of Denver Pioneers, is likely the hottest name on the head coaching market. Pat Ferschweiler of the National Champion Western Michigan Broncos has also generated some buzz around his name.
Two of the best coaches on the market would be making the jump from the NCAA to the NHL, but would Briere actually consider hiring a college coach?
“Yeah, if it’s the right fit and it makes sense,” Briere said. “We’re definitely going to look into it.”
The list of college coaches to have NHL success right out of the gates is short. Jim Montgomery–that’s the list. That said, with such an important hire coming up for the Flyers, it may be difficult to go that route.
However, sometimes it is the biggest risks that end up having the highest rewards. The Flyers should leave no stone unturned.
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Briere is Leaning on Past Experience with the Flyers
This head coaching search will not be the first time that Briere has been a part of a head coach hiring process.
While Briere did not have much to do with it, he was on Chuck Fletcher’s staff when they brought in John Tortorella. Briere said it was a great learning opportunity.
“I’m very grateful that Chuck gave me that chance, and I feel way more comfortable going into it. I saw the process. I feel like I’ve been through it, and I still have all my notes from the previous search. So, like I said, I feel comfortable about it.”
He certainly is no seasoned vet when it comes to hiring coaches. In all honesty, no GM wants to be. Regardless, this is a process that Briere has been through before, and it will only help him this time around.
Briere said he learned a lot from the past experience, saying he now knows what to look for, what questions he needs to ask, and so on.
When to Expect the Flyers to Name Their Coach
Briere did not give a very specific time frame on when to expect the next head coach to be named. However, he did say that the first thing he intends to do is conduct exit interviews and evaluate the current staff.
That should get the Flyers through the week, with the tables shifting focus on the coaching hire right around May.
Depending on the process, I would say mid-to-late May would be a reasonable timeframe if they are looking to go the NCAA route, internal, or hire an external coach who is either out of a job or whose season is over.
However, the coaching search could end up going even further into May and possibly June if the Flyers are not impressed with the initial group.
What I expect is a coach to be hired with enough time to participate in draft conversations and provide input on free agency plans.
Read More: James: I Was Wrong About Jakob Pelletier
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With the recent coaching firings in Anaheim and New York, do you feel there is any sense of urgency within the organization to move quickly with the hiring of a new coach to risk losing out to another team?
In all honesty, I doubt it. I think Chicago is the “premier” landing spot for any coach right now, with Philly right behind. I don’t the the NYR gig is as enticing as it used to be. ANA could be an intriguing one, but I still think the Flyers are in a better spot. There probably won’t be a rush until the Blackhawks and Flyers have a coach.
Giving the makeup of the Rags roster, I don’t think they will be hiring the type of coach that the Flyers are looking for. On the other hand, Anaheim will be considering a coach the flyers would likely hire, younger guy to groom younger players. IMO, at this point I think they are ahead of us in terms of young talent.
Generally speaking, I agree that the Ducks have the better “younger talent”.
However, they Flyers have the best player on either team, are in a MUCH better and bigger market, and have been more willing to spend on FA more than the Ducks (not recently but historically)
Great. Per db risto got injured right after the trade deadline and now might not make the start of next season. I know there was only so many retention slots but man that trade value now . I guess we will see what happens next season.
So, is Tort’s officially done, or will he possibly resurface with the Bruins or the Rangers?
I hope he goes to the pooh bears because I can’t stand the ownership and management of that team. Tortorella would really set them back.
James, the Inquirer reported that they “have learned it will not be David Carle”. There was no source or details given. Do you know anything about that? With no further explanation, I consider that report questionable.
I have not heard anything or been told anything that would indicate that. However, Jackie has always been pretty reliable and I have never known her to fabricate a report.
I have my own belief that he’s a Blackhawk if he leaves, but that’s just speculatory.
That said, I would take it as if it is super reliable, but remember that anything can happen. Remember, at one point the Phillies were no longer pursuing Bryce Harper and look where he signed.