Gull GM Waddell Appoints Himself Coach

Don Waddell, the Gulls’ vice president and general manager who has spent the past six weeks seeking a new coach for the International Hockey League team, ended his search Monday. Waddell, 33, appointed himself to the job.

The announcement was made by the team’s new president, Bill Cox, who said Waddell won’t be the only management official rinkside during games. Cox said Executive Vice President Andre Lacroix has been named assistant coach.

With the opening of training camp (Sept. 19) now less than a month away, Waddell--who interviewed many candidates to replace Mike O’Connell and had picked three finalists--decided he was his own best choice.

“I wasn’t looking to coach this team,” said Waddell, who called the shots from the front office as the Gulls went 30-45-8 in 1990-91, their first season in the IHL. “Right from Day 1 the ownership asked me if I would consider it. I said, ‘Yes, I would consider it, but I would like to explore the possibilities.’

Waddell had sought former Detroit Red Wings Coach Jacques Demers, who was twice named NHL Coach of the Year before being fired in 1990. But Demers, who has a radio show and is color commentator for the Quebec Nordiques, wasn’t interested.

Waddell, who was an all-star defenseman in the IHL, served as an assistant coach for two years and head coach/general manager for one season with the IHL’s Flint (Mich.) Spirits.