Columbus Blue Jackets fire coach Dean Evason, hire Rick Bowness to replace him
January 12, 2026
The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired coach Dean Evason and named Rick Bowness as his replacement. Evason is the first NHL coach fired this season. General manager Don Waddell announced the abrupt change Monday with his team sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference 45 games in. Bowness turns 71 on Jan. 25. Evason was just past the midway point of his second season in charge of the Blue Jackets. Waddell’s first order of business upon becoming GM was to fire then-coach Pascal Vincent and put Evason behind the bench.