Dean Evason ‘Blindsided’ by Unexpected Blue Jackets Dismissal

Dean Evason, the former head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, expressed shock over his recent dismissal from the team. He believed he was secure in his position, even as the team faced a challenging season.

Unexpected Dismissal from the Blue Jackets

“I was blindsided. Yeah, of course,” Evason recounted. His tenure ended midway through his second season with the Blue Jackets. Despite an underwhelming record of 21-19-7 in the current season, Evason felt he was unaware of impending changes.

The Situation in Columbus

During Evason’s coaching, Columbus placed eighth in the Metropolitan Division. In a previous season (2024-25), the team had shown improvement, finishing with a record above .500 since the 2019-20 season.

General Manager Don Waddell cited the team’s performance as insufficient: “We are not performing at a level that meets our expectations. We all share in that responsibility.” He acknowledged Evason’s efforts but emphasized the need for change.

Struggles and Performance Issues

• Columbus struggled to maintain leads, losing nine of 26 games after holding a third-period advantage.
• Evason noted that these collapses were frustrating and indicated they affected the team’s overall performance.
• The coaching staff had implemented changes to address this issue but did not see the expected results.

Post-firing, the Blue Jackets won two consecutive games under their new coach, Rick Bowness, who came out of retirement to take over the role. Evason expressed confidence that his team could have made the playoffs if he remained at the helm.

Evason’s Coaching Record and Future Prospects

Evason concluded his time with the Blue Jackets with a record of 59 wins, 52 losses, and 16 overtime losses in 127 games. His overall coaching career now stands at 208 wins, 129 losses, and 43 overtime losses.

Despite the abrupt end to his time in Columbus, Evason remains optimistic about his future coaching opportunities. “I hope I get another job,” he stated, affirming his belief in his coaching abilities.

As the hockey world watches, Evason’s next steps remain uncertain, but his determination to return to head coaching is clear.