KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Ice Bears hockey team is searching for a new head coach. The team parted ways with its current head coach, Brent Clarke, after the team had its worst start ever to a season in its 22 years.
The team has lost all six of its games and has been outscored 30-7. On top of that, the Ice Bears have not once capitalized on a power play -- going 0-for-17.
This was Clarke's second season with the team. He finishes out his tenure with a record of 32-28-3.
“We are grateful for Brent and the time he’s invested into our organization,” General Manager Mike Murray said. “Brent and I spoke and we’ve accepted his resignation. We wish he and his family the very best moving forward as we continue to put our efforts into bringing the best fans in the SPHL the success they’ve come to know and expect for more than two decades.”
Murray made the announcement Sunday after the team lost 5-2 to Fayetteville on Saturday, saying the departure was mutual. He said he intends to announce an interim head coach later this week as the team prepares to head to Huntsville on Thursday.
“We understand the hockey hasn’t been good enough thus far,” said Murray. “Our goal is and always will be to win championships. We still have 50 games left this season and our intention is to bring in the right coach who will take us closer to that goal.”
