Who knew? Isn’t 65 years old when people have traditionally retired? However, suddenly Rick Bowness might be called back to action full-time instead of in an interim capacity. And, given his difficult and checkered life as a head coach – being a long-time assistant in many places and being the first head coach of the expansion Ottawa Senators (a team largely devoid of talent when he was coach) – Bowness must be enjoying this success.
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From Only Stepping Up to Fully Stepping In
When Jim Montgomery was fired because of unprofessional conduct and Bowness took over from him on December 10, it was expected Bowness would take the job simply on a part-time basis. He was, at his age, only stepping up to help out his team. At least that’s what most assumed. After all, Bowness was 65 years old and would be turning 66 in January 2021.
However, things and thinking might have changed. Perhaps Bowness, if he first thought of this job as interim, has had a change of heart or mind during the playoffs. He might want the Stars head-coaching job on a full-time basis. Earlier this week, a note from the Dallas organization suggested that a decision would be made after the playoffs.
Stars GM Jim Nill Knows What He Wants
However, Stars general manager Jim Nill has been fully impressed and doesn’t want to wait to make his desires known. So here’s where we stand: we’re unsure what Bowness’ desire might be, but we know what Nill has decided. If Bowness wants the job, it’s his. The interim tag will be taken off and tossed away.
In fact, Nill stated it quite directly, saying Bowness “has definitely earned the right to come back as the coach.”
Surprising Success Deserves a Surprise Ending
When Bowness took over as the Stars head coach early in December the team was doing fine, but no one expected this kind of success. Now, after beating a strong Vegas Golden Knights team, the Stars have reached the Stanley Cup Final.
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And, given this surprising success, Rick Bowness might want to be the full-time coach of the Dallas Stars after all. At the beginning of this surprising 2019-20 NHL season, who would have predicted this surprise ending?
