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.
16 comments:
the Gamblers haven't announced anything yet (as of 8am) ... not doubting that it's Cooper, but newspaper is quoting sources not a team announcement,,,
gbpf
No way 90K, most likely 65K.
Was hoping for their other candidate, but figured that Jon would officially be chosen. Its a done deal so its time to move on.
I love it he is going to do a great job and he will put us back on the map.... Look out becuase here Come the Green Bay Gamblers
Gamblers Hockey
new blood is a good thing. it cannot get any worse thats for sure. maybe we can be in the playoffs in 2009. that would be fun. ;)
When your on the bottom you got no where else to go but up!
Lets move upward and onward!
Gambler Fan
$90k is not out of the questions. It's certainly much less than Mazzoleni or Osiecki made.
If/when he wins a few titles, it will go up.
-gbpuckfan
A great choice by the Gamblers. A very good hockey guy that will make each player responsible. A players coach that the team will want to play for.
We can only hope that things will work out with this coach. Time will tell.
Let us not go overboard about this guy being superman. Lets take 1 day at a time and see how things go. According to info in the NAHL, he had help from a lot of people in his coaching. He will not have that help here.
I hope he can be successful here but I am not sold.
Great choice by the Gamblers, We needed a new direction and Jon is the guy to do that. Cant wait until the season starts!!!!
Go Gamblers!!!!
local TV story from news conference:
http://www.myfoxnewisconsin.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=6522920&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=6.1.1
The only problem I have with this is the 5 year contract what if he doesn't work out???
Gamblers Hockey
Green Bay doesn't get Cooper without a commitment. The only reason this doesn't work is if they did not enter into a partnership for the right reasons on the front end. Give their new Pres. credit on this one, he beat out every other team trying to land Cooper.
What's the deal with Insalaco now? Anyone hear anything?
Why is picking so many from his old league?
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