Wednesday, April 12, 2000
Ducks coach not surprised by firing
BY John P. Wise
Enquirer contributor
While Moe Mantha expressed disappointment to lose his job after coaching the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks for three years, he understands it was a business decision he knew was inevitable.
“I'm not surprised it happened; I'm actually relieved now that it finally did,” he said Tuesday night. “Now I'll just relax for a couple days and then start making some phone calls.“
Mantha learned last night that NHL parent Anaheim would not renew his contract for next season. The phone call from Anaheim General Manager Pierre Gauthier was a formality; the coach knew it was only a matter of time.
“I had a gut feeling on October 1 that after this season when my contract was up, I wouldn't be back,” said Mantha, 118-166-36 in coaching Anaheim's top minor league teams for four years. “It's an organizational decision and I respect it. Pierre just wants to bring in his own guy.” The coach added his tight-lipped manner about the topic throughout the season was purposeful.
“I took pride in my job and took pride in not disrupting my team,” he said.
Gauthier's guy is yet to be determined, but two candidates have been mentioned among the rumor mill: 15-year NHL veteran Lucien Deblois, now an Anaheim scout, and Anaheim assistant George Burnett, who once manned the Edmonton Oilers bench.
Gauthier replaced Jack Ferriera as Anaheim GM before the 1998-99 season, after Mantha had signed a two-year renewal to coach Cincinnati.
“I'm very grateful toward Jack Ferriera,” Mantha said.
Mantha joked that maybe his downtown counterpart, Cyclones coach Ron Smith, needed his help.
“Maybe Ron could use another assistant next year,” he said. “My wife and I really like it in Cincinnati.
The coach did say he'll consider contacting Doug MacLean, general manager of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets. The expansion team debuts next season, and hasn't yet determined its coaching staff. Mantha knows his way around the capital city; he coached the ECHL Columbus Chill from 1994-96.
Mantha has coached 40 players in his four years with the Anaheim organization.
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