After six seasons as an NHL assistant coach, Paul McFarland has signed a multi-year deal to become the head coach of the Calgary Hitmen. The 38-year-old has five seasons of major junior experience, including two seasons as an assistant coach with the Oshawa Generals and three seasons as the head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs. McFarland also has NHL experience as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Seattle Kraken.
Gautam Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next head coach of the Indian cricket team, according to reports. The former India opener is highly regarded by the BCCI for his success as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the demanding nature of the role could pose a challenge for Gambhir, who will also be serving as mentor to KKR. The BCCI is expected to initiate talks with Gambhir during KKR’s stay in Ahmedabad for the IPL playoffs.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly in talks with former India opener Gautam Gambhir and ex-Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene to replace Rahul Dravid as the national team’s next head coach. Gambhir currently serves as a mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while Jayawardene is the head of cricket for Mumbai Indians. The BCCI is prioritizing candidates with coaching experience in the IPL, and both Gambhir and Jayawardene fit that criterion. Gambhir played a crucial role in KKR’s recent success in the IPL, having previously guided Lucknow Super Giants to the playoffs as mentor. Jayawardene has also worked as a consulting coach with the Sri Lankan team in ICC events. The BCCI is seeking a coach who is willing to commit to the team for the next three years, including two World Test Championship cycles and three ICC white-ball events.
Former Australian opener and current Lucknow Super Giants coach, Justin Langer, has expressed curiosity about the Indian cricket team’s head coach position, which will soon be vacant following Rahul Dravid’s departure after the T20 World Cup. Langer has acknowledged the prestige of the role and the abundance of talent within the Indian cricket system. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the head coach position, leaving open the possibility of a foreign coach replacing Dravid. If the Cricket Advisory Committee considers an overseas candidate, Langer, with his strong credentials and successful coaching experience with Australia and the Lucknow Super Giants, could emerge as a prime contender.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invites applications for the role of Men’s Senior Cricket Team Head Coach.
Current head coach Rahul Dravid may reapply if he wishes to extend his tenure.
The selection process entails a comprehensive application review, interviews, and assessments of shortlisted candidates.
The BCCI seeks a long-term coach for a three-year term.
The appointment will be for all formats and not specific to any particular format.
Post the T20 World Cup this year, Rahul Dravid’s position as Team India’s head coach may be in jeopardy. If Dravid wishes to stay on after the World Cup, he will have to go through the selection process like any other candidate. This decision was made by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who stated that Dravid’s contract will end and he will have to reapply if he wants to continue in the role. The BCCI is seeking a long-term coach for a three-year term. While there is no precedent for India to have different coaches for different formats, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) will ultimately decide on this matter. Shah emphasized that even a foreign coach is a possibility if recommended by the CAC. The last foreign coach for Indian cricket was Duncan Fletcher, after whom Indian cricket has been under the guidance of former Indian cricketers.
Rahul Dravid’s second stint as head coach of the Indian cricket team will conclude after the upcoming T20 World Cup. Dravid had agreed to stay on after India’s loss in the final of last year’s home ODI World Cup, but it is unlikely that he will reapply when the BCCI opens the search for a long-term head coach. The BCCI is considering the idea of split coaching, given the heavy workload in the next three years, which includes two ODI World events and the 2026 T20 World Cup at home. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah did not sound enthusiastic about this idea.
The San Jose Sharks have a busy offseason ahead of them, as they look to rebuild their team after a disappointing season. Here are three key areas they need to address:
1. **Hire a Head Coach:** The Sharks fired head coach David Quinn after two seasons, and they need to find a new coach who can help them develop their young players and build a winning culture.
2. **Determine Vlasic’s Future:** Longtime defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has been a healthy scratch on numerous occasions this season, and the Sharks need to decide whether to keep him on the roster or buy him out.
3. **Cash In on Granlund:** Center Mikael Granlund had a breakout season for the Sharks this year, and he is now a valuable trade chip. The Sharks should look to trade Granlund for future assets to help them rebuild.
Following their worst season in years, the Nets have hired Jordi Fernandez as their new head coach. Fernandez is confident that he can turn the team around quickly, emphasizing the importance of team success and gradual improvement. Despite their recent struggles, the Nets have a young and promising roster, including Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, and Cam Thomas. They also have seven tradeable first-round picks over the next seven years, which provides flexibility in acquiring additional talent. Fernandez’s experience as the head coach of the Canadian National Team is seen as a positive by both him and Nets GM Sean Marks.
After a dismal season, the San Jose Sharks have fired head coach David Quinn following two seasons at the helm. With an NHL-worst 19-54-9 record, the Sharks struggled throughout the 2023-24 campaign, leading to the decision to part ways with Quinn. General manager Mike Grier expressed gratitude for Quinn’s efforts, acknowledging the difficult circumstances the team faced, but emphasized the need for a fresh start.
