All articles tagged with #coaching debut
Bill Belichick is coaching his first college football game tonight between TCU and North Carolina, marking a significant shift from his NFL career, with questions about his ability to succeed in college without Tom Brady's support.
Michael Vick's debut as Norfolk State's head coach showed promise but also highlighted areas for improvement, including penalties, running game, and turnovers, as the team aims for its first win under Vick's leadership.
Pat Kelsey's first day as the new Louisville basketball coach was filled with energy and excitement as he met with players, received unanimous athletic board approval, and interacted with fans and boosters. Kelsey's passionate and confident demeanor has injected a new sense of enthusiasm into the program, with fans expressing renewed optimism and players experiencing a high-energy coaching style. The day marked a promising start for Kelsey and the Louisville basketball team as they look to bounce back from recent challenges.
Dont'a Hightower, a former Patriots linebacker, has been hired as the team's new linebackers coach, marking his coaching debut. He joins the defensive staff alongside defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino, and safeties coach Brian Belichick. Hightower played for the Patriots from 2012-21, earning All-Pro honors in 2016 and winning three Super Bowl rings.
Patrick Roy made a winning debut as the New York Islanders coach, displaying his trademark energy and emotion behind the bench. Despite feeling nervous, Roy's passion and coaching style resonated with the players, who fed off his energy to secure a 3-2 overtime victory against the Dallas Stars. While acknowledging the need to calm himself down at times, Roy emphasized the importance of trust and implementing a new style of play. The Islanders players embraced Roy's philosophy and are eager for more as they look to improve under his leadership.
Drew Bannister, former coach of the AHL-affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds, will make his NHL coaching debut as he takes over the St. Louis Blues on an interim basis, replacing Craig Berube. The Blues have dropped four straight games and are one point out of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Bannister, who has a successful coaching record in the AHL, is expected to have a chance to secure the permanent coaching role, as the search for a replacement is ongoing.
Bridgette Gordon, former Lady Vols basketball player and assistant coach, made her head coaching debut for Florida A&M against her alma mater. Despite losing to Tennessee, Gordon's team put up a strong performance, considering the delayed start to practices due to Hurricane Idalia. Gordon expressed her desire to make her former coach, Pat Summitt, proud and emphasized the importance of creating a sisterhood and a strong team culture. She believes her team has the potential to achieve something special in her first season as head coach.