Bobby Francis

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 of the National Hockey League (NHL) 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.

Bobby Francis
Born	(1958-12-05) December 5, 1958 North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
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	1980–1987

Coaching career

Francis served as a player-coach with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1986, followed by four years as head coach of the IHL's Utah Grizzlies.[1] After head coaching stints in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Saint John Flames and Providence Bruins, Francis spent two years at the NHL level as an assistant coach to Pat Burns of the Boston Bruins before being hired by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1999.[1] In 2002, after leading the Coyotes to a 40-27-9-6 record, and the most points in the league following that year's Olympic break, Francis was awarded the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year.[2] Midway through his fifth season at the helm of the Coyotes in 2004, Francis was fired after a slow start and replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.[3]

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.[4]

Team	Year	Regular season							Post season
		G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Division rank	W	L	Result
PHX	1999–2000	82	39	31	8	4	90	3rd in Pacific	1	4	Lost in first round
PHX	2000–01	82	35	27	17	3	90	4th in Pacific	-	-	Missed Playoffs
PHX	2001–02	82	40	27	9	6	95	2nd in Pacific	1-	4	Lost in first round
PHX	2002–03	82	31	35	11	5	78	4th in Pacific	-	-	Missed Playoffs
PHX	2003–04	62	20	24	15	3	(68)	5th in Pacific	-	-	(fired)
Total		390	165	144	60	21

Personal

Although he was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, while his father was coaching the New York Rangers, and holds both Canadian and American citizenship. In September 2012, it was revealed that Francis had lost his balance and equilibrium and required a walker to get around.[5] 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.[5]

References

1. "Francis Is Coyotes New Coach". CBS News. June 16, 1999. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
2. "Jose Theodore named NHL MVP | CBC Sports". CBC. CBC News. June 27, 2002. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
3. Garay, Anabelle (February 24, 2004). "Phoenix Coyotes Fire Bob Francis As Coach (washingtonpost.com)". www.washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
5. Bickley, Dan (September 28, 2012). "Ex-coach Bob Francis now fighting for quality of life". USA Today. Retrieved October 1, 2016.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database

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 1999–2004	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	Succeeded by Paul Baxter