Bobby Francis

Bobby Francis
Born (1958-12-05) December 5, 1958
North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for NHL
Detroit Red Wings
IHL
Muskegon Mohawks
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
CHL
Birmingham Bulls
Oklahoma City Stars
Colorado Flames
AHL
Adirondack Red Wings
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1980–1987

Robert Emile Francis (born December 5, 1958) is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey player and coach. He was the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL) from June 1999 to February 2004. In 2002 Francis became the first Coyotes' coach to win the Jack Adams Award. He is the son of former NHL general manager and coach Emile Francis.

Coaching career

Francis served as a player-coach with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1986, followed by four years as head coach of the IHL's Utah Grizzlies.[1] After head coaching stints in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Saint John Flames and Providence Bruins, Francis spent two years at the NHL level as an assistant coach to Pat Burns of the Boston Bruins before being hired by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1999.[1] In 2002, after leading the Coyotes to a 40-27-9-6 record, and the most points in the league following that year's Olympic break, Francis was awarded the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year.[2] Midway through his fifth season at the helm of the Coyotes in 2004, Francis was fired after a slow start and replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.[3]

On April 26, 2006 Francis signed a two year-contract to coach HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 19, 2006 Francis's contract was terminated.[4]

TeamYearRegular seasonPost season
GWLTOTLPtsDivision rankWLResult
PHX1999–2000 82393184903rd in Pacific14Lost in first round
PHX2000–01 823527173904th in Pacific--Missed Playoffs
PHX2001–02 82402796952nd in Pacific1-4Lost in first round
PHX2002–03 823135115784th in Pacific--Missed Playoffs
PHX2003–04 622024153(68)5th in Pacific--(fired)
Total3901651446021

Personal

Although he was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, while his father was coaching the New York Rangers, and holds both Canadian and American citizenship. In September 2012, it was revealed that Francis had lost his balance and equilibrium and required a walker to get around.[5] The symptoms began showing during the 2003–04 NHL season. Francis also revealed his struggle with alcoholism, which played a key factor in his dismissal from HIFK.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Francis Is Coyotes New Coach". CBS News. 16 June 1999. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Jose Theodore named NHL MVP | CBC Sports". CBC. CBC News. 27 June 2002. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  3. ↑ Garay, Anabelle (24 February 2004). "Phoenix Coyotes Fire Bob Francis As Coach (washingtonpost.com)". www.washingtonpost.com. Washington Post. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. ↑
  5. 1 2 Bickley, Dan (28 September 2012). "Ex-coach Bob Francis now fighting for quality of life". USA Today. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
Preceded by
Joe Mullen		 Winner of the Phil Esposito Trophy
1981–82		 Succeeded by
Wes Jarvis
Preceded by
Joe Mullen		 Winner of the Tommy Ivan Trophy
1981–82		 Succeeded by
Kelly Hrudey
Preceded by
Steve Kasper		 Head coach of the Providence Bruins
1995–97		 Succeeded by
Tom McVie
Preceded by
Jim Schoenfeld		 Head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes
1999–2004		 Succeeded by
Rick Bowness
Preceded by
Bill Barber		 Winner of the Jack Adams Award
2002		 Succeeded by
Jacques Lemaire
Preceded by
Doug Shedden		 HIFK head coach
2006–2007		 Succeeded by
Paul Baxter


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