Babcock, Blue Jackets release official statements; Jackets name a new head coach
In a shocking turn of events, late Sunday afternoon, Mike Babcock officially stepped down as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets after allegations had surfaced of inappropriate conduct relating to an alleged invasion of privacy on Babcock's part towards several young players in the organization.
This week, during an episode of Spittin' Chiclets podcast, Paul "Biz Nasty" Bissonnette came forward, revealing that sources had told him that Babcock had allegedly gone through players' phones and looked at their pictures. While most were revealed to have given their consent, some allegedly did not consent to Babcock going through their phones, at least not to the extent that he did while probing for information to "get to know his players better".
Babcock had stepped down this afternoon after a thorough investigation from the NHLPA had invited "too much of a distraction", in Babcock's own words. Both the veteran coach and the organization issued statements on the matter shortly after 4pm ET on Sunday.
Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen had this to say of Babcock's premature departure from the organization:
The Blue Jackets have named Pascal Vincent as the team's next head coach following Babcock's resignation. Kekalainen believes that Vincent is capable of stepping in and shouldering the load in Columbus, revealing that Vincent was a "strong candidate" to be named the Blue Jackets' head coach during their recent coaching search.
This is not an enviable position to be in for the Blue Jackets and, as Babcock had alluded to, is one heck of a distraction right before training camp.
| POLL | ||
17 SEPTEMBRE | 162 ANSWERS Babcock, Blue Jackets release official statements; Jackets name a new head coach Did Babcock do the right thing by stepping down in Columbus? | ||
| Yes | 98 | 60.5 % |
| No | 24 | 14.8 % |
| Don't care | 40 | 24.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
