There’s a pretty big incentive to not fire your coach if you’re a general manager. Firing a coach is a way to shake up your team, but it implicitly says “This guy was an issue.” Fans, media, and bloggers understand that messaging.
But if things don’t work out under a new coach? Then it’s only a matter of time before those paying attention turn their focus onto you.
And that scrutiny only intensifies when the coach you fired eliminates you from the playoffs 14 months later.
It’s just not a good look.
The hot seat hasn’t exactly been new for Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher.