LA Kings Fire Coach Jim Hiller, Name D.J. Smith Interim Head Coach
The LA Kings have relieved jim hiller of his duties and installed associate coach D. J. Smith as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, the club announced Sunday. The move comes as the team sits just outside a playoff spot and seeks a new approach down the stretch.
Jim Hiller Relieved of Duties
Jim Hiller was removed from the head coaching role as the organization cited a need for a change in leadership to give the roster the best opportunity to reach its potential. General manager Ken Holland thanked Hiller "for his dedication, professionalism, and the commitment he showed to our players and our team every day, " and said the decision was made to position the team for short-term and future success. Holland will be available to the media on March 1 at 2: 00pm ET at the team training facility ahead of a scheduled practice.
D. J. Smith Named Interim Coach
D. J. Smith, 48, will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Smith is in his second full season as the club's associate coach and joined the organization on Feb. 5, 2024, after serving as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators for parts of the 2019–24 period. The team stated Smith will lead the bench immediately as the club pursues a return to consistent form.
Staff Changes and Bench Additions
Player development coach Matt Greene will join Smith on the bench as an assistant coach. The staff adjustment pairs Smith's NHL head-coaching experience with Greene's development role as the club attempts to stabilize on-ice performance and address organizational needs through the remainder of the season.
Why the Move Happened
The change follows a run of uneven results that left the club on the outside of the playoff mix. The Kings had endured a five-game losing streak before a 2-0 win over the Calgary Flames ended that skid, and an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers drew audible fan frustration at the arena. At the time of the announcement the team was three points outside a wild-card berth, a standing that the organization identified as part of the immediate context for the leadership change.
Hiller, 56, had earlier led the team to a franchise-best 48 wins and 105 points in his first full season as head coach but was unable to replicate that output this campaign. The roster’s offensive challenges and inconsistent play were noted in the club’s assessment as it shifted direction behind the bench.
Background on D. J. Smith and Outlook
Smith's résumé includes NHL head-coaching experience and prior assistant roles. Before his Ottawa tenure he served as an assistant with an NHL club from 2015–19 and spent a decade coaching in the Ontario Hockey League, where he helped guide the Windsor Spitfires to back-to-back league championships and Memorial Cup titles in 2009 and 2010. The club’s immediate aim under Smith will be to steady results and push for a playoff position over the remaining schedule.
What comes next is a short-term test: the interim appointment will run through the rest of the season, and the team’s performance over those games will determine whether this change alters the club’s trajectory into the postseason. Unclear at this time is whether additional staff moves or roster adjustments will follow; the organization framed the decision as a leadership change made to better position the team now and moving forward.
