Goodbye Mike Babcock, Hello Pascal Vincent Who Takes Over As The Blue Jackets’ Head Coach

By Jordan Long

The Columbus Blue Jackets start their season on October 12th when they host the Philadelphia Flyers, looking to improve on their 25-48-9 record from last year. Columbus will have a new Head Coach.

            The Blue Jackets hired Mike Babcock on July 1st.  The hiring made sense.  This was a coach who had NHL head coaching experience with Detroit, Anaheim, and Toronto.  His overall record stands at 700 wins, 418 losses, 19 ties, and 164 overtime losses.  His teams went to the playoffs 14 times while advancing to the Stanley Cup Final 3 times.  He had one Stanley Cup victory, 2008 with Detroit.

            Well, Babcock lasted 2 months as Head Coach of the Blue Jackets.  He resigned because of an investigation.  Babcock allegedly violated players’ privacy.  He asked to see players’ photos which were on their cell phones by Airplay.  These were displayed on a wall in the coach’s office which is not okay.  That forced him to resign.

            According to ESPN, Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said, “This was a difficult decision on everyone’s part, but one we felt necessary to ensure our focus remains on the players and the team’s upcoming season. On behalf of the entire Blue Jackets organization, we want to thank Mike for his hard work and professionalism he has shown in working together on a plan to step down.”

            The Blue Jackets decided to go with Pascal Vincent. Vincent doesn’t have NHL head coaching experience but has coached in the American Hockey League (AHL) for Manitoba which is an affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets.  Vincent coached them from 2016 to 2021. Manitoba went 155-139-31 under him.

            This move to Vincent makes sense.  He is the best in-house candidate.  Vincent served as one of the assistant head coaches on Brad Larson’s staff when Larson was the Head Coach of the Blue Jackets from 2021 until he was fired at the end of last season.  Vincent was even a favorite to take over the Blue Jackets when they went with Babcock.

            Vincent has his chance to lead this hockey team.  The Blue Jackets gave him a two-year contract to turn this team into a winner.  The Blue Jackets haven’t been to the postseason since 2020.  They lost in the 1^st-round.   If Vincent misses the playoffs in the next two years he will be gone.  At least he has his opportunity.