The Detroit Red Wings filled the coaching vacancy in Grand Rapids from within and promoted Dan Watson.
Watson was named the 12th head coach of the Griffins Wednesday, roughly two months after the Wings announced Ben Simon's contract would not be renewed. Watson, 43, has spent the past six seasons as head coach of the Wings' ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye. He guided them to a 45-19-3 record this past season and to a 9-4 record in the Kelly Cup playoffs. He has been with the organization for 14 seasons, including spending two seasons (2014-16) alongside now Wings coach Derek Lalonde, who at the time was head coach of the Walleye.