The Columbus Blue Jackets made significant coaching changes Friday, releasing assistant coaches Mike Haviland and Scott Ford along with video coach Aron Augustitus following another disappointing season that ended without a playoff berth.
The franchise terminated the contracts of all three staff members, even though they were signed through the 2025-26 season. Haviland and Ford had been with Columbus since before the 2024-25 season began, while Augustitus had served the organization since 2018.
The coaching shake-up comes after Columbus recorded a 40-30-12 record for 92 points, landing them in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division and extending their playoff drought to six years.
General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Don Waddell worked with Head Coach Rick Bowness to make these personnel decisions following their season-ending evaluations.
“Following our end of season meetings, Rick and I determined that changes to our coaching staff would be in the best interest of our club moving forward,” Waddell said. “We are very appreciative of the time and hard work that Mike, Scott and Aron have done during their time with the Blue Jackets and wish them well in their future endeavors. We will begin the process of reviewing candidates to join our staff in the very near future.”
The Blue Jackets showed improvement under Bowness, posting a 21-11-5 record after he assumed head coaching duties when the team dismissed Dean Evason and assistant Steve McCarthy on January 12.
