San Jose Sharks Fire Coach Ron Wilson

CBS 5

May 12, 2008

The San Jose Sharks fired coach Ron Wilson on Monday afternoon following the team's latest disappointing early ouster from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Wilson, hired by the club in December 2002, is the Sharks' leader in wins and winning percentage, but San Jose only advanced past the second round of the postseason once with him behind the bench.

The Sharks were the No. 2 seed in this year's Western Conference playoffs, but were eliminated in six games in the second round by the Dallas Stars after falling into a 3-0 hole.

San Jose earned two Pacific Division titles, including this season when the Sharks went 49-23-10, under Wilson and reached the Western Conference finals in 2004 before falling to upstart Calgary.

In four-plus seasons, Wilson - the sixth coach in team history - went 206-134-45 in 385 regular-season games.

"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record-setting, regular-season performances," general manager Doug Wilson said. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team."

"We are proud of what we've accomplished as an organization, but we feel that this team is capable of achieving greater success," he added.

Ron Wilson is the franchise leader in postseason games, posting a 28-24 mark in 52 games. In addition to the appearance in the conference finals, Wilson also led the Sharks to the second round in his final three seasons as coach.

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