Dec 31, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella reacts to game play against the San Jose Sharks as right wing Matvei Michkov (39), left wing Joel Farabee (86) and center Sean Couturier (14) watch the play during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
John Tortorella said he "wasn't interested" in learning how to coach a team in the situation the Flyers are in, so GM Danny Briere made it so that he no longer had to do that.
The Flyers fired Tortorella on Thursday, ending a tumultuous three seasons with the franchise.
Once called the Flyers "spiritual leader" by Comcast Spectacor CEO Dan Hilferty, Tortorella's style quickly wore thin on the locker room and players started tuning him out.
Frequent benching of players, lack of direct communication with them when it happened, and a regression in play by several players was building toward the end of his time behind the bench.
But it was Torotorella's comments following a 7-2 drubbing in Toronto that may have been the tipping point.
John Tortorella: "This falls on me, I'm not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season where we're at right now...but I have to do a better job."#Flyers pic.twitter.com/M3LJbWdadB
Tortorella oversaw the Flyers losing 12 of their past 14 games and benched defenseman Cam York for nearly the entire game after a mistake led to a Toronto goal.
The Flyers players have not been happy with their coach for some time, but this was always about timing. The Flyers were still paying their previous coach, Alain Vigneault, through this season. Tortorella, who was making $4 million per year, was signed through next season.
The team decided now was the time to turn the page and find a coach who can be more of a fit with a team looking to grow into a contender.
The Flyers released a statement early Thursday acknowledging the firing with a statement from Briere:
OFFICIAL: The Flyers have relieved John Tortorella of his duties as head coach. Philadelphia Flyers Associate Coach, Brad Shaw, has been named interim head coach and will assume duties immediately. https://t.co/qJuAybRMFT pic.twitter.com/saaH0u62lT
Associate coach Brad Shaw will serve as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. The team returns to action tonight at the Wells Fargo Center against the Montreal Canadiens.
