Mike Babcock’s time with Blue Jackets over before it starts after resigning
The Blue Jackets hired Mike Babcock as their newest head coach this summer in hopes to turn the franchise around. But he won’t even coach a game for Columbus after he resigned from the position on Sunday night.
“Upon reflection, it has become clear that continuing as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was going to be too much of a distraction,” Babcock said in a statement released by the Blue Jackets. “While I’m disappointed to not have had the opportunity to continue the work we’ve begun, I know it’s in the best interest of the organization for me to step away at this time. I wish everyone in the organization well in the upcoming season.”
Babcock resigned amid controversy surrounding him after he allegedly invaded players’ privacy and players to see pictures from their phones. He’d then display them on his office television via AirPlay.
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Babcock and Jenner both refuted the report and released a joint statement, but the NHLPA investigated the matter. A meeting with NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh and Columbus players was held over the weekend.
The 60-year-old Babock has a history of mistreating his players. While he was the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, many players accused him of mentally abusing them. Babcock was fired in November 2019. One example during that time was when he allegedly held a meeting with then-rookie Mitch Marner and had him rank his teammates by their work ethic. What Marner said was then shared with the players who were ranked toward the bottom.
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This was Babcock’s second chance at a head coaching gig in the NHL, and it was over before it even started.
