Gamblers To Announce Cooper

The Green Bay Press Gazette today is saying the Gamblers will announce they have hired former St. Louis Bandits head coach, Jon Cooper, to take over as their GM and head coach.

Though Strand and Patrick — both former Gamblers assistants — had Wisconsin ties that made them attractive, Cooper won out with his extensive experience and success as a head coach, including back-to-back North American Hockey League championships with the Bandits.

The Gamblers were referred to Cooper early in the search. They decided it was worth waiting to negotiate with him until the Bandits wrapped up their second straight Robertson Cup on May 4 — the day after Cooper's wife, Jessie, gave birth to twin girls.

No terms were available, but it likely is a five-year contract. The Gamblers were believed to be looking to spend roughly the USHL average, which is in the neighborhood of $90,000 per year.

Edit: It appears there is a press conference in about an hour to announce the coach.