1964 Coaching Changes

1964 Coaching Changes

There were plenty of coaching changes that occurred around the league, especially from some teams that had disappointing seasons. 

BUFFALO BLUE WINGS
After being with the team for 10 years, and being the head coach for the last 8, Dannell Willis was let go by the team. The firing follows a disappointing 4-7-1 season for the team. GM Reginald McMahon felt that it was getting a bit stale with the long-term coaching staff and felt the change was necessary to take the next step. To replace the longtime HC, the Blue Wings would bring in former Victors head coach Maurice Evanson. Evanson’s time in Indiana was certainly not the most inspiring, he was quietly carrying the quite untalented team to a decent season. Overall, it should be a solid hire for a young Blue Wings with plenty of weapons. 

The Blue Wings would let go of OC Tim Bakersfield as well, hoping to find someone who can get QB Charles Lemieux and RB Jimmy Golden to take another massive step forward. Their replacement would be a bit of a surprise with Royals OC Soni Dionne moving over to Buffalo. Dionne felt that he wasn’t going anywhere within the Royals’ organization and was excited for the chance to work with fellow Quebec City native Lemieux in Buffalo. 

INDIANA VICTORS
HC Jimmy Sargent only lasted 2 seasons in the Victors’ organization, but after a very frustrating 4-8 season, GM Everett Henderson felt that Sargent wasn’t the guy to get the team to the next level. To replace Sargent, the Victors would bring in Dannell Willis from Buffalo. Willis certainly has a better track record than Sargent and should certainly help the defence take the next step with his strong defensive schemes. 

MONTREAL ROUGE
Montreal had the most apparent disappointment. Many viewed them as the most talented team last season, but they could only manage a 6-6 record. HC Dean Reed was let go despite being in the McCallister Cup the previous season. GM Virgil Gross would then promote OC Perry Powell to HC. Powell served as Gross’ head coach during his time in Providence (which included Providence’s 9-1 season in 1953). Gross has always liked Powell and had only fired him while in Providence due to the higher-ups. Some are thinking that the change in ownership and the disappointing season gave Gross the chance to finally get Powell back in the HC role. Regardless, Powell still knows how to coach a team and he should be able to unlock an extra level of the offence. 

They would also let go of DC Patrick Taylor based on the tough defensive performance. They would ultimately bring in Tim Bakersfield from the Blue Wings for the OC role and Jimmy Sargent from the Victors for the DC role. Both are very experienced coaches and they should be able to add some stability to the Rouge next season.

OTTAWA ROYALS
The last change would come from Ottawa since Soni Dionne left for Buffalo. To replace the OC the Royals would bring in Kent Winters. Winters was an interesting hire since his last job was a one-year stint with The winless Athletics, however, it might just be a temporary hire for what could be a time of transition for the Royals.