In 2011, Kevin Dineen's first season as the Florida Panthers' head coach, it seemed the team was ready to shake off a decade of sucking. Indeed, the Cats won their first division championship. But Dineen's next season saw the team finish second to last in the league, and now the Panthers are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.
Dineen is out of a job.
Assistant coaches Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsay were also dismissed.
"After 16 games, it was clear that our team needed a change in philosophy and direction," general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement Friday. "We have not met the expectations that we set forth at training camp, and it is my responsibility to make the necessary changes to ensure that our club performs at its maximum potential. We thank Kevin, Gord, and Craig for their hard work and dedication to our organization and the professionalism that they displayed throughout their tenure."
This is the biggest shakeup since Vincent Viola bought the team in September.
The team is currently 3-9-4 this season, and the decision to let Dineen go was made just hours after the Cats dropped a game 1-4 to the Boston Bruins.
Peter Horachek will serve as interim coach. Brian Skrudland, a former player who was the team's very first captain, and John Madden (no, not that one) will join as assistant coaches.
In other news, Jeff Ireland remains gainfully employed.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
