List of Pittsburgh Penguins head coaches

Last updated

Michel Therrien was the Penguins' head coach from 2005 to 2009. Michel Therrien.jpg
Michel Therrien was the Penguins' head coach from 2005 to 2009.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are an American professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was established as one of six new franchises of the 1967 NHL expansion. [1] Since their foundation, the Penguins had played their home games at the Civic Arena, which was replaced by the Consol Energy Center in 2010. [2] The franchise is co-owned by Ronald Burkle and Mario Lemieux—the only player/owner in the NHL's modern era. [3] According to Forbes, the Penguins were the 11th most valuable NHL franchise, at US$222 million, in 2009. [4]

Contents

There have been 23  head coaches for the Penguins franchise. [5] The franchise's first head coach was Red Sullivan, former New York Rangers captain and coach. [6] Sullivan was replaced by future Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Red Kelly, after two seasons. Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player, [7] and head coaches Craig Patrick, Bob Johnson, Scotty Bowman, and Herb Brooks were inducted as builders. [8] Bob Johnson led the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup victory in 1991, but was forced to retire due to health problems after the season—he died later that year. [9] Bowman succeeded Johnson and coached the team to its second Stanley Cup victory the following season. Michel Therrien won the Prince of Wales Trophy, as Eastern Conference champion, during the 2007–08 season. [10] Therrien was replaced the following season by Dan Bylsma. [11] Bylsma would lead the Penguins to their third Stanley Cup championship that same season. Bylsma was fired after the 2013–14 season and replaced by Mike Johnston. [12] Johnston was fired during the 2015–16 season and replaced by Mike Sullivan, [13] who led the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017 and leads the team in games coached. Sullivan ultimately departed the Penguins on April 28, 2025, following three consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance. [14] Dan Muse was hired on June 4, 2025, succeeding Sullivan. [15] .

Key

Scotty Bowman was the Penguins' head coach from 1991 to 1993 Scottybowman-2006awards.jpg
Scotty Bowman was the Penguins' head coach from 1991 to 1993
#Number of coaches
TermYears spent as coach
GamesGames coached
WWins
LLosses
TTies
OTL Overtime/shootout losses [a]
Win% Winning percentage
PGPlayoff games coached
PWPlayoff wins
PLPlayoff losses
PWin%Playoff winning percentage
*Spent entire NHL head coaching career with the Penguins
* or Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame († denotes induction as a builder, * denotes induction as a player)

Coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the 2024–25 season.

#Name [b] Term [c] GamesWLTOTLWin%PGPWPLPWin%AchievementsRef
1 George "Red" Sullivan 19671969 150477924.393 [16]
2 Red Kelly* 19691973 2749013252.4231468.429 [17]
3 Ken Schinkel 19731974,
19761977
203839228.478 [18]
4 Marc Boileau 19741976 151666124.517954.555 [19]
5 Johnny Wilson 19771980 2409110544.4711248.333 [20]
6 Eddie Johnston 19801983,
19931997
51623222460.508462224.478 [21]
7 Lou Angotti 1983–1984 8016586.232 [22]
8 Bob Berry 19841987 2408812725.419 [23]
9 Pierre Creamer 1987–1988 8036359.506 [24]
10 Gene Ubriaco 19881989 10650479.5141174.636 [25]
11 Craig Patrick 1989–1990, [d]
1997 [e]
7429369.453514.200 [26]
12 Bob Johnson 1990–1991 8041336.55024168.667 Stanley Cup champions (1991) [27]
13 Scotty Bowman 19911993 164955316.628332310.696 Presidents' Trophy (1993)
Stanley Cup champions (1992)
[28]
14 Kevin Constantine 19971999 1898667354.51119811.421 [29]
15 Herb Brooks 1999–2000 57292452.5701165.545 [30]
16 Ivan Hlinka 20002001 86423293.5581899.500 [31]
17 Rick Kehoe 20012003 16055811410.419 [15]
18 Ed Olczyk 20032005 1133164144.274 [32]
19 Michel Therrien 20052009 [f] 27213510532.502251510.600 Prince of Wales Trophy (2008) [33]
20 Dan Bylsma 20092014 40125211732.670784335.551Stanley Cup champions (2009)
Jack Adams Award (2011)
[34] [35]
21 Mike Johnston 20142015 [g] 110583715.595514.200 [36] [37]
22 Mike Sullivan 20152025 75340925589.602824438.537Stanley Cup champions (2016, 2017) [38] [37]
23 Dan Muse 2025–present [39]

Notes

References

General
Notes
  1. Cooper, Bruce C. (1994). Michael L. LaBlanc (ed.). Professional Sports Team Histories: Hockey. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Inc. p. 322. ISBN   978-0-8103-8862-8.
  2. "Consol Energy Center". PittsburghPenguins.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  3. "Front Office". Executive Staff. PittsburghPenguins.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  4. "NHL Team Valuations". Forbes.com. November 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "General Managers and Coaches". Coaches. PittsburghPenguins.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
  6. O'Brien, Jim (1994). Penguin Profiles. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: James P. O'Brien - Publishing. pp. 242–44. ISBN   0-916114-16-3.
  7. "Red Kelly Playing Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  8. "Builders". The Legends. Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  9. "Bob Johnson Biography". The Legends. Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 29, 2004. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
  10. "Eastern Finals: Game Five recap". Pittsburgh Penguins. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 21, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  11. 1 2 Molinari, Dave (February 15, 2009). "Therrien fired, Blysma in as Penguins' interim head coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  12. "Penguins pluck WHL's Johnston to be coach". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  13. "Mike Sullivan Named Head Coach of Pittsburgh Penguins". penguins.nhl.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  14. "Penguins and Head Coach Mike Sullivan Agree to Part Ways". www.nhl.com. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Rick Kehoe Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  16. "Red Sullivan Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  17. "Red Kelly Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  18. "Ken Schinkel Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  19. "Marc Boileau Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  20. "Johnny Wilson Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  21. "Eddie Johnston Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on September 4, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  22. "Lou Angotti Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  23. "Bob Berry Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  24. "Pierre Creamer Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  25. "Gene Ubriaco Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  26. "Craig Patrick Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  27. "Bob Johnson Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  28. "Scotty Bowman Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  29. "Kevin Constantine Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  30. "Herb Brooks Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  31. "Ivan Hlinka Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  32. "Ed Olczyk Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  33. "Michel Therrien Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  34. Molinari, Dave (February 15, 2009). "Therrien fired, Bylsma in as Penguins' interim head coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  35. "Dan Bylsma Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  36. "Mike Johnston Coaching Record, Awards and Honors". Hockey-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  37. 1 2 3 "Penguins fire Johnston, name Sullivan coach". nhl.com. NHL. Archived from the original on December 13, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  38. "Mike Sullivan Coaching Record". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  39. "Muse hired as Penguins coach, replaces Sullivan". NHL.com. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  40. "Official Rules" (PDF). NHL.com. Lincoln Hockey and the National Hockey League. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2008.
  41. 1 2 "1989-90 Pittsburgh Penguins". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  42. 1 2 "Penguins' Fire Johnston; Patrick Is Interim Coach". The New York Times . March 4, 1997. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  43. 1 2 "1996-97 Pittsburgh Penguins". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.