THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Rush will go with interim coaches if they can’t find a new bench boss before their home game against the San Jose Stealth on Saturday night, says club president Duane Vienneau.
Paul Day, the general manager and head coach of the 0-5 National Lacrosse League club, and assistant coaches A.J. Jomha and Jim Milligan were relieved of their duties Tuesday.
"I was hoping to have a decision made (Wednesday) but we’re not quite there yet," Vienneau said during an NLL conference call. "We’re hoping to have someone in place in the next 24 hours.
"If that doesn’t work out, we’ll have to go to Plan B."
Asked what that plan might be, Vienneau said there were "a couple of local guys who are very familiar with the sport."
He identified them as former Roughnecks players Chris Stachniak and Jamey Bowen. Day is a Niagara Region detective and commuted to Edmonton’s games.
"This is an unfortunate situation considering the amount of time and effort that Paul, A.J. and Jim put into the Rush since the team’s inception prior to the start of the 2006 NLL season," Vienneau said in a news release upon announcing the firings. "But the expectations for the team were not being realized this season and a significant change was necessary.
"There is a lot of talent on this team. However, the record does not reflect where we should be in the standings. We needed to make a move while there is still time to make a concerted effort to reach the NLL playoffs for the first time in our history."
Day was NLL coach of the year in 2004 with the Rochester Knighthawks. The Rush went 1-15 in their inaugural season and were 6-10 last season.
"I enjoyed my time in Edmonton but I am very disappointed I never got to see this team get to where it should be," Day told the Edmonton Sun. "We have had some players underachieve but it takes time for a team to gel, and the organization wasn’t patient enough."
Walt Christianson, coach of the 3-3 Stealth, empathized with Day and his assistants. Christianson has coached in other sports and said lacrosse has been the most challenging.
"Coaching in the NLL is probably one of the most difficult coaching scenarios you can have," said Christianson, who lives in Victoria and has players living across the continent.
"I fly into a city the night before a game and hold a practice and try to prepare a team for a game the next day," he said. "Communication during the week is by phone and by e-mails.
"It’s an incredibly difficult coaching scenario."
Edmonton players Ben Prepchuk and Rory Glaves were hurt last weekend and Vienneau could not offer an update on their status for Saturday’s game.