In a bit of surprising news, it has been reported that Joe Sacco will not be returning as the head coach of the Boston Bruins. According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, the Bruins have officially informed Sacco that he will not be staying on in the top coaching position moving forward.
Friedman shared the update during Monday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, stating, “I’m under the impression he was told he won’t be staying.” This statement suggests that Sacco’s tenure with the team, at least in a coaching capacity, has come to an end.
A Rollercoaster Ride for Sacco
Sacco’s time with the Bruins as interim head coach was far from ideal, as he took over the reins of the team in mid-November following the firing of Jim Montgomery. His tenure, while filled with challenges, was always going to be tough. Despite his best efforts, Sacco’s Bruins squad missed the playoffs and finished the season with a 25-30-7 record, which ultimately wasn’t enough to secure a permanent role as the team’s head coach.
Despite the disappointing results, Sacco was initially named a finalist for the position when the season concluded. It appeared that the Bruins were considering giving Sacco a chance to stay on as the full-time head coach. However, that’s no longer the case, as the organization has reportedly moved in a different direction.
The End of an Era for Sacco in Boston
What makes this development even more significant is that it appears Joe Sacco will not return to the Bruins in any coaching capacity moving forward, not even as an assistant. This marks the end of what has been a decade-long run for Sacco behind the Bruins’ bench. The 54-year-old native of Medford, Massachusetts, first joined the Bruins in 2014 as an assistant coach and has worked under the team’s last three head coaches—Claude Julien, Bruce Cassidy, and Jim Montgomery.
Sacco has certainly been a part of some high moments in Boston’s history during his time as an assistant, including the 2019 Stanley Cup Final run, but it now seems his chapter with the Bruins is closing. The team has likely decided to move forward with a new coaching philosophy, and Sacco, despite his long tenure with the team, will not be a part of that future.
What’s Next for the Bruins?
Now that Sacco is out of the running for the head coaching position, the Bruins will continue their search for their next bench boss. The team is likely focused on finding someone who can lead them back to postseason contention after a disappointing 2024 season. With Marco Sturm now officially taking over as head coach, the Bruins are entering a new era, and many are eager to see how the former player will shape the team’s future.
For Joe Sacco, this marks the end of a significant chapter in his career, but his experience with the Bruins will certainly not be forgotten. As the team transitions to a new leadership structure, Sacco’s influence and legacy in Boston will remain part of the team’s history.