Could this end with Simon coaching the Gamblers? hmmm.
Simon Resigns as Head Coach & GMFebruary 28, 2008
The Des Moines Buccaneers announced today that Head Coach and General Manager Regg Simon has resigned effective immediately. Associate Head Coach Todd Knott will take over on an interim basis as Head Coach for the remainder of the season.
“I felt it was in my best interest personally and professionally to step down at this time.” Simon said. “I appreciate the opportunity the organization has given me and I wish them the best of luck in the future.”
Buccaneers President Shawn Edwards, who made the announcement to his staff this afternoon, said it was a “sad day for Buccaneers hockey”, and that “Regg is a special person”.
Simon was in his fifth season with the Buccaneers and his third as Head Coach & General Manager. Edwards said that Simon “took this organization to the next level and will certainly be missed.” He said that Regg is a “great talent in the coaching field with a bright future”. Edwards went on to say that he “understands Regg’s reasoning behind the decision”.
Todd Knott will be making his USHL Head Coach debut tomorrow night as the Bucs host the Chicago Steel. Knott, in his third season with the Bucs, has served as a Head Coach & General Manager in the past. During the ’04-’05 season Knott guided the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the North American Hockey League to a division title.
EDIT: Just got this article in my inbox and am now posting it with this entry.
An article on Coach Simon resigning in the Elk River Star News.
The Register said Simon expressed concern about the team’s new ownership structure, which was announced Wednesday. Los Angeles real-estate developer Gil Peled bought majority ownership of the team from a group headed by Minnesota lawyer Brian Schoenborn.
64 comments:
Regg is a great guy and a great coach. He'll land on his feet somewhere.
He'll be in Green Bay next year.
don't count on him being in GB. One of the fans big beef with Mazz was his record. Hiring the only guy in the league with worse record this year - regardless of the reasons - is NOT going to go over well and would not be accepted. That's not fair to Simon, but that's the situation here.
-gbpuckfan.
Simon is a winning coach in the USHL though.
One GB fan I've talked to said he'd be loved up there.
Lots of people are thinking along the same lines as well.
so much for a league with stability. how many coaches have left this season? will Columbus be back next year?
Regg must have decided he didn't want to be a puppet! He was on the local news saying he is getting ready to take a vacation to somewhere warm! This sounds better then finishing a bad season that was going no where!
Regg would be great for GB if he was hired, He proved he can win in the playoffs.
PMI needs to take there time with this decision and hire the best person available.
Jamie
LET'S GO GAMBLERS
I heard Regg was fired?! Interesting.. Wednesday the team is sold, Thursday a losing coach is out. This same thing happened when they took over the S. Minn. team!
Good for Regg, I am sure he was tired of being a "Puppet" for Edwards, let alone the new owners too.
Just wait, it'll only get better.
It's not over yet Bucs fans. As someone from Southern Minnesota Peled's track record is not good. He only wants a team for his son to play for. He is horrible and is one of the worst in the NAHL. Next the volunteers will leave and more staff will quit. It will be one big snowball. Just be glad that Peled's partner in So. MN isn't involved is could be worse. You might have Schnieder on the blue line also. Better have a damn good goaltender and good backcheckers. Looks like Romaniski(SMN Express coach) could have an opportunity to show that he can't coach in the USHL either.
Regg-damn good guy. Not sure about Green Bay connection. Best of luck Regg you will be missed. The madhouse on hickman better not change to much. If fans wanted that they would go to stars games, oh wait different fan base-is it halftime yet? ha.
- bucs fan in s. falls
REGG LEFT BEFORE END OF SEASON SO HE COULD STOP THE LOSSES ON HIS RECORD. CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP JUST GOOD TIMING FOR HIM TO SPLIT AND SAVE FACE.
I think everyong may be missing one thing. Todd Knott may be the best assistant coach in the USHL, and now with an opportunity to step into a head coaching position, he very-well could continue the tradition of great coaches and championships in Des Moines. I look forward to seeing what he can do the rest of this year, and hopefully next season as well.
Best of luck Regg and Go Bucks Go! lets go Todd.
Todd will do just fine. Regg was frustrated all the time. Time to move on.
Right on! Todd has great opportunity on the team now that Regg is out. Dont believe Regg will end up in GB.
You guys are unbelievable. Todd is not a guarenteed success. Big deal, an assistant in the USHL and head coach at an NAHL team. Remember, USHL kids so much better than NAHL kids and same coud be said regarding coaches. Also, lets not forget that he still inherits just about the worst team in the league. He did like those 2 local kids with too few points, so maybe he can get r done with that philosophy. Maybe this weekend that can break that 100 goal mark that will surely make them feel that they are a success. No playoffs this year boys. The new owner's kid and the like wil water down an already, young and watered down team and league. Good luck Todd, casue you will need it.
"I felt it was in my best interest personally and professionally to step down at this time." This is an interesting comment from a coach. There is a whole lot of "Me" in that quote. Is it not a popular saying that "there is no "I" in TEAM"? Seems to me coach simon didn't have the best interest of "his team" in mind when he made this decision. What possible reason could there be that he couldn't wait for the end of the season to exit. Opportunities wil be there in the off season. I really think regg let his boys down with this decision and should be held accountable for the ultimate choice to QUIT on his team, organization, and community.
Just Watch Todd is the better coach out of the 2.
Regg should go coach a Minn HS team.
Green Bay, Hope that Regg dose not get the job, you'll be looking at a few more below-par years ahead if he did.
Last 4yrs
Regg Simon
89-110-26
Mark Mazzoleni
86-124-17
Are you really improving?
Last I checked, Regg does have a Clark on his resume.
Regg, bad timing on guiting, should have stuck it out for the boys, yes they have been loosing but they leave their all on the ice everyday, you should have done the same. Regg shouldn't gave Mr. Peled a chance.
Not Mr. Peled to worry about, it's his son Ami Peled the kid flat out stinks.
idiots--regg was forced to resign, or he would be fired. figure it out.
2/29/08 10:08 AM
If that is the case than he shoulk have chosen his words more carefully. Maybe you are name calling in the wrong direction. I don't believe he is the first coach to be forced out, if indeed he was, there are many ways to say it politically correct without stateing it was "in my best interest". Idiot. :)
"ryan, this blog sucks! Regg didnt do anything great so why are you fueling this crap? time to move on to other stuff around the league."
No one is forcing you to read the blog. Regg has been a quality coach and a good guy. Move on to other things? There are no other things. This was the biggest shocker on the news wire yesterday and still is today.
Thanks for reading.
whats up with green bay this week? any thoughts?
anyone?
To all you people out there take it from me. I have met Coach Simon and talked to him many times before and after games, he has alot of class. This guy played for and coached the Bucs. He loved the Bucs. Obviously he wasn't going to let his new boss tell him that his kid was going to play for him.
As far as comparing him to Mark Mazzoleni, Regg won a Clark Cup in 06 then the next season they knocked off #1 Omaha 4 games to 1 in the first round, enough said.
Good luck Regg.
Other Bucs fan in S.Falls
Good Job, Green Bay. Go get him.
Regg Simon
89-110-26
Now we'll have an easier time with the East Div. GB will be in Last place over and over again.
Thank You Again!
Cedar Rapids #1 Fan
i do believe mark carlson and regg simon have the same number of clark cups i believe? correct me if im mistaken.
i dont know why everybody is putting so much thought into this decision for regg. he didnt get along with the new owner wayyyy before the deal was finalized. have you ever been working for somebody and either you get transfered or the company is sold and you just dont get along with your new co-workers or boss? or when the new guy is trying to put his "stamp" on the company/ franchise? which leads you to find a new job? thats all this is. in all in all, this makes the new owner look bad as they just fired one of the few coaches in this league who have a clark cup on their resume. and makes regg look like he quit on his team but he needed to look after #1- himself. too bad nobody can come away looking like winners. i just dont like where DM is heading, ohio in the west? this is going to run a tradition filled franchise and some of the best and most loyal fans into the ground. it happened in southern minnesota and it will happen in DM.
Reggie's Last 3 seasons:
-Clark Cup
-Lost in overtime in deciding game to go to Clark Cup Championship game
-(This season) Team struggled. 1st round draft pick hurt 2 weeks into season...Team has lost over 150 man games due to injuries.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah, not a good coach. Why dont some of you guys do some research before posting!!!
I wish I had the power to see the future like some of these people here! Blow it up before it starts, WOW!
again, fired not resigned.
those "QUOTES" are made up, he would never say that. forced to.
Not that shocking, Regg applied and interviewed for the Lincoln Stars job after Steve Johnson left. I think Regg is concerned about the long term stabilty of the Bucs and is looking for a more secure job. Given the situation, who can blame him for getting out now. I do agree that I am sure that new management informed him he could resign or be fired. I am not sure that the new ownership sounds like it will be great for the long term success of the Bucs. (Can anyone say Pat Forcia anyone?) If true, too bad, the Bucs have a long and storied history in the USHL.
Tom
Wahoo, NE
I can't believe some of the things I read on this blog. I know what I'm talking about, and here's what I have to say. The Bucs organization is in great shape. Better shape than it's been in, in a long time. They had a down season; injuries, being young, and a shortage of leadership will do that to a team. Knott is just what the doctor ordered. The Bucs obviously will have a high draft pick in 08-09, as well as additional draft picks from trades that Regg made. This certainly sets up the team to make a run next season. Fans continue to support the team, win or lose. Great promotion don't hurt either. The past few seasons Des Moines fans have supported this team like Chicago supports the Cubs! All the negative talk about SE is crazy. He has proven himself as a smart, successful business man. Regg could have stayed, Regg chose to go. Regg will do well in moving forward. His passion is to get into the college ranks, and compete for an NCAA title one day. The future is also bright at 72nd & Hickman, and I can't wait for next season. I predict that Knott will come back, the fans will continue to bash SE, the Hanson Brothers, the Stanley Cup, and how about Shawn Johnson, they will all be back, Elvis won't however. And the Bucs will make a run. One year from now we'll be battling Omaha for the Anderson Cup, and looking to bring a fifth Clark Cup to the madhouse on Hickman. And most importantly, we'll be sending young men to Division-1 schools to get free educations. And that's what it's all about. War Rody, and good-luck Regg!
Read between the lines on all of this people...coaches don't resign right now - they are forced out. Looks to me like the new structure of the ownership it making this happen. You all can make comments about his record, but keep in mind that half of a season is from Tri-
City and another half of a season if from when he took over the Bucs. You really need to look at his record and accomplishments in just the time he had full seasons as the the head coach in Des Moines. This season will obviously hurt that record, but there's no doubt the guy can coach and win.
It's tough to argue that Todd Knott is the best assistant coach in the USHL. The team on the ice this season in Des Moines are players that he recruited. Everyone needs to read between the lines on this whole situation...
Who Cares it's over!!!! Fired or resigned same thing, he is no longer with the team!!!! Wish him the best and let him move on!!!
I believe Des moines has bigger problem then to be whining if he resigned or got fired!!!!!!!
Jamie
As a season ticket holder for the last three years, I wish Regg luck in wherever he ends up. Todd also scouted for the team, I think the team will be OK.
I hope business end of the organization looks at some details of how its ran. I buy 5 season tickets, 3 are for my children.
With the promotion of buy 1 adult get 1 child free, (at least 6 times this season). Twelve tickets at $8 apiece. Other promotions that are buy one child get half price on second, it has cost me over $100 this year to be a season ticket holder.
It is the only arena in the USHL that we have been to, that charges
for parking. Ours is $5.
The front office just says "well the tickets went down in price this year". Lets see no buc bowl, no preseason, and no playoff tickets, all in trade for one Iowa Stars preseason game.
The only way I will buy season tickets next year will be big drop in price for children. I am tired of the comment of "these promotions are only for purchased tickets". Well I think I was the one that puchased them in July of last year.
JIMINDM
Green Bay charges. Even the businesses around GB charge.
Over the years I have been charged in Indiana, Sioux City, Omaha and Tri-City although I don't know if that's currently what is happening.
-gbpuckfan
The one thing that I must laugh at is the excuse factor for this season's Bucs team. No one else in the league had players injured? 1st pick or last draft pick, veteran or rookie, etc. Can it impact your record? Of course. Enough to account for the last place record and lack of goal scoring, defense and goal tending, etc??? No way in the world. Yes they will get a good draft pick or 2 cause of their lousy record, but good picks due to trades? Highly doubtful. And, like an earlier poster said, Todd recruited much of this team. So lets see where he may take this team. Finally, lets talk about the Championship team of 2 years ago. Those were all Regg's players he drafted and developed. I think not. One When a team is strugling, the coach can make the difference, especially down the stretch of the season. What did Regg do, he bailed. Did he look out for himself? Yes. Was that the right thing to do? Maybe. Does he look like a quiter to his players, the fans and everyone else in hockey. YES!
yah, you are right, trevor lewis one one example of a player from that championship team that was not recruited by Regg, and there were others as well.
You're an idiot if you pay for parking at the arena in Des Moines... everywhere directly across from the arena(mostly the KMart parking lot) is free parking, takes a whole five seconds longer to cross the street to save money.
(Also Omaha doesn't charge for parking, neither does any team with a big arena.)
And last I checked I had tickets for preseason games this year, they were just all general admission.
You should probably remember there are other Des Moines fans on this blog before you start wrongfully complaining about things for attention.
You are wrong buddy. Regg was in fact a part of keeping lewis since he was the assistant (RECRUITING COARDINATOR) at the time. So get your facts straight. And regardless of what you say... he, in 2.75 full years of having HIS own team, won a Clark Cup and was one win from reaching the finals...so you are full of IT.. He knows what he is doing and has proven it in a short period of time. Check your facts buddy
(Also Omaha doesn't charge for parking, neither does any team with a big arena.)
===
As I said, it's been several years since I was at Omaha.
And at 8700 seats, Green Bay counts as a big arena. There is a fee for parking.
-gbpuckfan
To the anonymous poster of 3/01/08 @3:10 AM. You are a dork. This isn't the Jim Rome show. "War Rody"? Idiot. So you were in the room when this when down Huh? Doubt it if your posting at 3am when most are sleeping. Back away from the internet glow and go to bed! GOODNIGHT NOW!
- Bucs fan in S.Falls
What in the hell does having to pay to park have to do with Regg Simon?
Because the next time Regg is in Green Bay, It'll be as a fan and he'll have to pay to park.
Luke Strand will be the next GB Head Coach.
Regg should put in for the AC spot at Siuox City.
Luke Strand????? PLease NO!!!!!!! there better talent than that!!!
Strand would be a good choice. Has experience in college as an assistant and head coach. Has USHL experience. Is an assistant now in the AHL. Is a good teacher of the game.
Yes, but not enough experience in the ushl, The gamblers already said that is what they are looking for. Plus Luke Strand worked under Mazz and thats something they need to stay away from right now.
Luke was hired by Osiecki, not Mazz.
and Regg's record is not significantly better than Mazz's.
Last 4yrs
Regg Simon
89-110-26
Mark Mazzoleni
86-124-17
Are you really improving?
2/29/08 9:13 AM
Clark Cup and semi-finals the last two seasons...how did Mazz do in the playoffs again?
Regg Simon 89-110-26
That's the best you can do?
Good Luck!
CR #1 Fan
Fully agree..He took over in dm after ferguson left and the team was already in last place...had a run to the clark cup, then was one overtime goal away from going to the finals again...and this year, yes tough season. But, include the fact that his team has lost over 150 man games due to injury. This guy has proven he can win. That overall record is deceiving
Anonymous said...
yah, you are right, trevor lewis one one example of a player from that championship team that was not recruited by Regg, and there were others as well.
3/1/08 4:59 PM
Reggs "Guys" from that team include
Kyle Okposo
Colin Vock trade w/ indiana
Ken Rowe
Ben Ryan
Richard Purslow
Aaron Palushaj
Aaaron Bendickson trade w/ indiana
Andrew Olson
John Vadnais trade w/ lincoln
Shane Sims
Ben Van Lare
Chase Ryan trade w/ CR
Kyle Bushee
Jeff Petry
Donnie Hallmark
Bobby Reiners trade w/ gb
Andrew Krelove
Christian Steingraber pickup f/ SC
Brian Foster
Troy Davenport left Cornell
That leaves off Trevor Lewis (debatable) and Rob Johnson again (debatable)
Thats a WHOLE new team Regg put together from the team before that year. SO everyone should quit bashing the man because HE CAN put together a good team and HE IS a very good coach and HE DOES have a clark cup ring. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT please.
all you Iowans think you know hockey,Regg is the best thing that happened to DM,he will be greatly missed!!
look into the crystal ball...Peled called Romaniski in Southern Minnesota constantly demanding Ami play in critical situations. Miraculously Ami Peled, who if you've ever watched him play, has no business playing in the NAHL, will no doubt be playing first line in the USHL next season. Get ready Des Moines your in for a real treat.
Same old jealous basher without something else to do but cry about something he is so jealous about and cant control.
Get a life and move on. Try to find another team who wants people like you to support them. Regg Simon is gone and there is currently no one in the league with openings that wants him on their bench. Wonder why?
We got better coaches now and we like it!!!!!!!!(Good Luck Todd! :))
We also like our teams management organization and all the new players will be welcome here regardless of who they are.....So dont let the door hit you on the way out. Chow!
GO BUC'S GO!!!!!
Bryan/DSM
Bring back Tim Ferguson and Bob ferguson, let them run the bench not the owners and success will come back to the mad house.
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