In a surprising and emotional turn of events, Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery has been fired after more than two seasons with the team.
Breaking: The Boston Bruins have fired head coach Jim Montgomery.
— ESPN (@espn) November 19, 2024
Associate coach Joe Sacco will assume interim head-coaching duties, the team said. pic.twitter.com/jZP4aqHqbc
The announcement, made on November 20, 2024, through ESPN’s X account, has shocked fans and the hockey community.
Montgomery’s firing comes during a rough start to the 2024–2025 season, despite his success in previous years.
Jim Montgomery Was Nominated For The Jack Adams Award For Top NHL Coaches
Jim Montgomery, a former NHL player and respected coach, became the head coach of the Bruins in 2022.
In his first full season, the team broke records, dominated the regular season, and became one of the league’s most exciting teams to watch.
Montgomery’s performance earned him a nomination for the prestigious Jack Adams Award in 2023, an accolade reserved for the NHL’s top coaches.
However, the Bruins fell short in the playoffs, suffering a stunning first-round exit despite their historic regular season.
The following year, the team made it back to the postseason but struggled to reclaim their dominant form.
Despite these ups and downs, Montgomery was regarded as a strong leader who brought fresh energy to the franchise.
Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney Has Announced The Firing Of Head Coach Jim Montgomery
The Bruins entered this season with high hopes, buoyed by the offseason signings of high-profile players Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.
But those hopes were quickly tempered as the team struggled to find their footing.
A lackluster start in the competitive Atlantic Division put pressure on both the players and the coaching staff.
Faced with mounting frustrations and unmet expectations, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney made the difficult decision to part ways with Montgomery.
In his announcement on Nov 20, 2024, Sweeney expressed appreciation for Montgomery’s contributions:
“He’s going to be a good NHL coach he is a good NHL coach and I wish him well his family was a was a a big part of his uh success and dynamic and we’re going to wish them well in and everything they do .Moving forward a decision of our team really just not performing to the level of expectations that we have grown to appreciate as as a fan of the sporting Community here and you know for me I just I had to change.”
via Youtube
Montgomery’s firing is part of a curious trend in the National Hockey League (NHL).
With his dismissal, all three 2023 Jack Adams Award finalists — Jim Montgomery, Dave Hakstol, and Lindy Ruff — have been fired within the last 18 months.
This highlights the high-stakes environment of professional hockey, where even the league’s best coaches can face job uncertainty.
Joe Sacco Has Been Appointed As Interim Coach
The Bruins have named Joe Sacco as the interim head coach.
Sacco, a native Massachusetts player and former NHL player, has been an assistant coach for the Bruins since 2014.
While the interim role presents an opportunity for Sacco to prove his mettle, the Bruins will likely evaluate long-term options in the coming months.
With Montgomery out, assistant coach Joe Sacco has been named interim head coach.
Sacco, a Massachusetts native and former NHL player, has been part of the Bruins’ coaching staff since 2014.
🎥 Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco on today's practice: "There were two things I was focused on this morning, one was the energy level of the practice and [two was] the execution…I liked the result of the practice this morning."
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 20, 2024
Full press conference ➡️ https://t.co/Lre0GaOsRB pic.twitter.com/dNUNTkjHfc
He now has an opportunity to guide the team through this transitional period while the organization evaluates its long-term options.
The Bruins’ decision to part ways with Montgomery signals a critical moment.
The team still boasts a talented roster led by stars like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, but turning their season around will require more than just a change behind the bench.
Sacco’s leadership will be key for the Bruins as they aim to stay competitive in the Stanley Cup race.
The Boston Bruins And Montgomery Are Both Entering A New Chapter
The firing of Jim Montgomery marks the end of a promising chapter for the Boston Bruins and raises questions about their path forward.
For Montgomery, it’s another chapter in a career filled with strength and success.
For the Bruins, it’s a chance to reset and refocus.
While this decision may prick now, both parties have the possibility to appear stronger.
In hockey, as in life, the toughest calls often pave the way for new opportunities. The Bruins will march on — and so will Jim Montgomery.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jim Montgomery played six seasons in the NHL with the Blues, Canadiens, Flyers, Sharks, and Stars.
- Montgomery was an assistant coach at Notre Dame in the 2005–06 season before joining Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for four years.
