Breaking: Dean Evason Fired by Blue Jackets; Veteran Coach Hired as Replacement

In a surprise move, the first head coach to bite the dust this season in the National Hockey League is Dean Evason of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

🚨 Team Update 🚨

We’ve relieved head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Steve McCarthy of their duties and hired veteran NHL coach Rick Bowness as the club’s head coach.

CBJ x @OHHeartofitAll pic.twitter.com/cXWr59Pd5w
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 12, 2026

The team has named veteran coach Rick Bowness as Evason's replacement. The Jackets also relieved assistant coach Steve McCarthy of his duties.

Evason did a tremendous job with the Blue Jackets last season, bringing them to within two points of a playoff berth in a very trying year for the team after the shocking death of star player Johnny Gaudreau before the season. That effort in 2024-25 to keep the team pointed in the right direction earned Evason a fifth-place finish in Coach of the Year voting.

Unfortunately, the Jackets couldn't keep it going this year, and are currently tied for last in the Eastern Conference, with a 19-19-7 mark.

From #CBJ GM Don Waddell: “This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations. We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly ...
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— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 12, 2026

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell calls season 'frustrating' in announcing the firing of Dean Evason

“This season has been a frustrating one for all of us, and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations," said GM Don Waddell. We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly, it is one that needed to be made at this time. Dean did a tremendous job last year under extremely difficult circumstances and I thank him for that. I also want to thank Steve for his commitment to our club over the past five years.”

Bowness, 70, had previously retired from coaching after the 2023-24 season when he was let go by the Winnipeg Jets.

He will make his debut behind the Columbus bench on Tuesday night when they host the Calgary Flames.