Bobby Francis

Bobby Francis
Born (1958-12-05) December 5, 1958
North Battleford, SK, CAN
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for NHL
Detroit Red Wings
IHL
Muskegon Mohawks
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
CHL
Birmingham Bulls
Oklahoma City Stars
Colorado Flames
AHL
Adirondack Red Wings
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 19801987

Robert Emile Francis (born December 5, 1958) is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey player and coach. He was the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes from June 1999 to February 2004. In 2002 Francis became the first Coyotes' coach to win the Jack Adams Award. He is the son of former NHL general manager and coach Emile Francis.

Coaching career

The Coyotes had chosen to hire Bob Francis, who over the past 2 years, had been the assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. His only NHL experience was with the Coyotes. Francis was fired in 2004 after a slow start, and was replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.

On April 26, 2006 Francis signed a two year-contract to coach HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 19, 2006 Francis's contract was terminated ().

Team Year Regular season Post season
G W L T OTL Pts Division rank Result
PHX1999–2000 82393184903rd in PacificLost in first round
PHX2000–01 823527173904th in PacificMissed Playoffs
PHX2001–02 82402796952nd in PacificLost in first round
PHX2002–03 823135115784th in PacificMissed Playoffs
PHX2003–04 622024153(68)5th in Pacific(fired)
Total 3901651446021

Personal

Although he was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, where his father was coaching the New York Rangers. Bob Francis holds both Canadian and American citizenship. In September 2012, it was revealed that Francis has lost his balance and equilibrium and requires a walker to get around. The symptoms began showing during the 2003-04 NHL season. Francis also revealed his struggle with alcoholism, which played a key factor in his dismissal from HIFK.

External links

Preceded by
Joe Mullen
Winner of the Phil Esposito Trophy
1981–82
Succeeded by
Wes Jarvis
Preceded by
Joe Mullen
Winner of the Tommy Ivan Trophy
1981–82
Succeeded by
Kelly Hrudey
Preceded by
Steve Kasper
Head coach of the Providence Bruins
1995–97
Succeeded by
Tom McVie
Preceded by
Jim Schoenfeld
Head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes
19992004
Succeeded by
Rick Bowness
Preceded by
Bill Barber
Winner of the Jack Adams Award
2002
Succeeded by
Jacques Lemaire
Preceded by
Doug Shedden
HIFK head coach
2006–2007
Succeeded by
Paul Baxter
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