By @MichaelCaples –
A source close to the situation has informed MiHockey that the Firebirds’ coaching staff has been rehired after last night’s breaking news.
The team had a 1:30 p.m. meeting to address Sunday’s events, which included multiple reports of Flint’s coaching staff being fired and then the entire roster protesting and leaving the arena.
The two coaches who were rumored to have been let go were head coach John Gruden and assistant coach Dave Karpa.
TSN’s Frank Seravalli has confirmed the news, as well. He is also reporting that the coaches have received new three-year contracts.
Confirming OHL’s Flint Firebirds coaches John Gruden and Dave Karpa have been re-hired. Players meeting with Dave Branch at 4pm.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 9, 2015
Ryan Slocum, a sportscaster for ABC 12 in Flint, is confirming that the staff has been reinstated, but not the new three-year contracts.
I can confirm Firebirds head coach John Gruden and his staff have been reinstated… I CANT confirm 3 year deals #OHL — Ryan Slocum (@Sloc12) November 9, 2015
From our article last night:
According to multiple reports, the Flint Firebirds fired their coaching staff after their Sunday night home game.
Per both ESPN’s John Buccigross and Yahoo Sports’ Sunaya Sapurji, the Firebirds’ team has walked out on the club after ownership fired the entire coaching staff.
This all comes after the Firebirds won their Sunday night game over Oshawa 4-3 in a shootout. The club, purchased by IMS Hockey Corp. (owned by Rolf Nilsen) last season from longtime Plymouth Whalers owner Peter Karmanos, Jr., is in their first year of operation in Flint.
Nilsen also has a son, 17-year-old defenseman Hakon Nilsen, on the Firebirds’ roster.
The Firebirds’ hockey operations roster, prior to these reports:
General Manager – Terry Christensen
Assistant General Manager – Joe Stefan
Head Coach – John GrudenAssistant Coach – Dave Karpa
Assistant Coach – Petr Jonak
The Firebirds’ next game is Friday, Nov. 13, at home against Sarnia. Flint is currently 7-9-0-1 on the season.
UPDATE (Monday, Nov. 9 at 12:50 p.m.): The Firebirds have asked for a previous comment to be retracted from this story, as they have no comment at this time.
It also appears as though the Firebirds have deactivated their official Facebook account.
The original tweets that broke the story:
Just heard Flint Firebirds come from behind against defending memorial cup champions, Oshawa tonight. Down 3-1. Come back & win 4-3 in OT…
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015
..Coaches fired immediately after game. Entire team, all 24 Guys storm upstairs to front office, throw jersey on ground, quit and walk out — John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015
One of my sources is confirming the reports out of Flint: Players walk out en mass after Firebirds fire coaching staff. #OHL
— Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) November 9, 2015
Another source: “such a show of solidarity when the boys bonded together and walked out. Even his (owner’s) son quit.” #Flint — John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015