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'Less than 24 hours after players handed in their jerseys and walked out in support of their fired coach, the OHL's Flint Firebirds are slowly being pieced back together.
Head coach John Gruden and assistant Dave Karpa were re-hired by owner Rolf Nilsen on Monday and given new three-year contracts, team sources confirmed. The news was first reported by @OHLinsiders on Twitter.
Nilsen's about-face came on the heels of a meeting with OHL commissioner David Branch, who was also scheduled to meet with players later on Monday.
Nilsen fired Gruden and Karpa on Sunday night almost immediately after a stirring comeback win over the defending Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals because his son was not receiving adequate playing time.
Even Nilsen's son, defenceman Hakon Nilsen, revolted against his father's decision. According to sources, Hakon could be heard making phone calls to his father, saying "What the (bleep) are you doing?" and "You can't do this!" Hakon, who appeared in all three games over the weekend, then joined his teammates in solidarity and returned his jersey.
Players left a message on a whiteboard in the team's dressing room, stating: "We'll come back when the coaches come back."
The Firebirds' unprecedented stand against ownership sent a message that could not be ignored.'
#MondayMustRead: Flint Firebirds re-hire coaches after player protest - Article - TSN
Cool.
Head coach John Gruden and assistant Dave Karpa were re-hired by owner Rolf Nilsen on Monday and given new three-year contracts, team sources confirmed. The news was first reported by @OHLinsiders on Twitter.
Nilsen's about-face came on the heels of a meeting with OHL commissioner David Branch, who was also scheduled to meet with players later on Monday.
Nilsen fired Gruden and Karpa on Sunday night almost immediately after a stirring comeback win over the defending Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals because his son was not receiving adequate playing time.
Even Nilsen's son, defenceman Hakon Nilsen, revolted against his father's decision. According to sources, Hakon could be heard making phone calls to his father, saying "What the (bleep) are you doing?" and "You can't do this!" Hakon, who appeared in all three games over the weekend, then joined his teammates in solidarity and returned his jersey.
Players left a message on a whiteboard in the team's dressing room, stating: "We'll come back when the coaches come back."
The Firebirds' unprecedented stand against ownership sent a message that could not be ignored.'
#MondayMustRead: Flint Firebirds re-hire coaches after player protest - Article - TSN
Cool.
