It’s one thing to pay your dues as a rookie coach. It’s quite another to go through the tumult that John Gruden endured in his first campaign on an OHL bench.
The former coach of the embattled Flint Firebirds got a fresh start Friday as he was named head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs. He takes over a team that missed the playoffs after finishing last in the East Division with 58 points.
"I love to coach, I like to work, I love being around the kids, I love being at the rink," Gruden said from Hamilton. "It’s a passion of mine and I wanted to get right back after it. I’m just lucky and fortunate to be a part of this Bulldog family here and I’m looking forward to the challenge."
Gruden was recently front and centre for one of the strangest hockey seasons in recent memory.
The Firebirds moved to Flint from Plymouth last year under new team owner Rolf Nilsen, with Gruden making his head coaching debut after four years as an assistant with the U.S. national team development program.
But less than two months after the season began, Gruden was fired by Nilsen amid reports the owner wanted more ice time for his son.
The players — including Nilsen’s son — protested and Gruden was re-hired and given a three-year extension. Then he was fired again in February.
The Ontario Hockey League moved in after the second firing, taking over direction of the team and suspending Nilsen for five years. A new front office and coaching staff have been brought in for next season.
Gruden, who had a 16-31-6 record in 53 games with the Firebirds, took the high road when asked about the experience.
"I think what it really taught me is at the end of the day, regardless of any situation you’re given and when you go to work in any job, is to make the most of every opportunity and just try to push yourself to get better and not to dwell on anything you can’t control," he said. "That’s what I learned. I learned a lot and now it will make me stronger moving forward."
Joe Stefan served as interim coach in Flint after Gruden’s departure. The Firebirds went on to finish last in the West Division with 46 points.
"There’s a few things I took out of last year," Gruden said. "One is, I learned a lot. And the second is I’ve got huge respect for this league and how tough it is to win and how good of a league it actually is."
"If it wasn’t for the Flint Firebirds and the ownership group, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now," he added. "Moving forward I wish them the best and also thank them for the opportunity they gave me and now I’m moving on and am excited to be here in Hamilton."
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, had a 25-35-8 season under head coach George Burnett. The team announced in April that he would not return.
Gruden played 92 NHL games over his 10-year pro career. The former defenceman played for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals.
"I just thought this would be a really good fit," Gruden said. "I’m really excited to work with some passionate people. We all seem to have the same common goal, to want to strive to get better every day. I’m glad to be a part of it."