The Allen Americans have announced that they have fired Head Coach/General Manager Chad Costello after two seasons with the team; he had just finished the second year of his three-year deal that he signed back in May of 2022. In two seasons under Costello, the team put up a record of 70-67-5-2 and has now made the Kelly Cup Playoffs in four straight seasons; the team failed to get out of the division in both years in the Kelly Cup Playoffs under Costello. Prior to coaching, the Iowa native spent eight years in the ECHL as a player, putting up 172 goals and 389 assists for 561 points in 375 games with the Colorado Eagles, Ontario Reign, and Allen Americans. Costello would also go on to win two Kelly Cup Championships along with a June M Kelly Award in 20166, he would win three MVP Awards including back to back MVP’s in 2016 and 2017, would win the ECHL Sportsmanship award in 2015, and would be named to the ECHL All-Star game twice in his career. He became the third player in franchise history to have his number retired.
“These are always difficult decisions, but this one was especially tough because of what Chad (Costello) and his family mean to the Allen Americans,” noted Americans Co-Owner LaSonjia Jack. “We wish Chad the best and we’re excited to begin the search for our next coach.”
Via Allen Americans Press Release
Allen will begin a search their search for a new coach and GM immediately. It is unknown if the new head coach will also serve as the team’s general manager of their will be a search for both positions separately. The Allen Americans and Worcester Railers are the only two ECHL teams with a head coaching vacancy.
Let’s hope the new coach won’t allow the dangerous and goon like behavior that has been going on the past couple years. Players get hurt when Allen is losing a game.
Crazy to have a coach fired so soon? Both years he led the team to the playoffs and not really given a chance. The ECHL is harder than any other league as when you have good players they get called up a level or two. To make the playoffs both years shows his ability. I doubt they will find a better coach and GM. Just another reason I did not renew my season tickets after having been a season ticket for the last 11 years. The Allen event center has raised prices where beer is cheaper than water? No outside vendors and as expensive or more than NHL prices.
To start with Becky has no idea what hockey is all about nor does she have any idea about the Americans in general. I worked ice ops here for 13 years and this team has NEVER been as she described. If you want a goon go watch Rempe play. At least Thomas goes to games and knows something. I also had season tickets for 10 years, but when they would not renew Martinson’s contract, I like many others, cancelled them.
Joe Ernst hiring by Zawyer group is what those of us here knew was behind it. He even admits it if you read the Americans blog today. Martinson, who I knew from living in San Diego and going to Gulls games, then doing ice at the practice rink, was the best coach we had. The old owner refused to renew his contract and we found out he was talking to Costello long before about being the new coach. Marty and I are friends so I know everything that was going on behind his back. Ernst also hates Marty, so the firing of Costello was no surprise to me as I’m sure he looked at him as an extension of Martinson.
Chad was no Martinson, but the players liked him, and many are going elsewhere because of this decision. Look at the blog and you’ll see their reactions. Looking at Adams history it makes no sense they hired him here. Ernst is the one who made the decision to fire Chad AND hire this guy. When the owners know nothing about hockey you would think at least to do some research instead of taking the word of one person. Adams may have been Erie but he was head coach for a year and fired with a crap record. Here is a quote from an article:
“Adams had spent eight seasons with the Erie Otters of the OHL, with his first season as the assistant coach in Erie before being promoted to head coach on November 11th, 2021. In his first full season as Head Coach of the Otters, he would lead the team to a 21-40-7 record and would not return to Erie for the 2023-24 season.”
To fire Chad and bring in a guy with a single season as a head coach, and a losing one at that, is stunning. If you look at anything the Americans have published they don’t talk about his record, and on top of that during the meet and greet a week ago he never mentioned anything related to his coaching experience at Erie or why he left. He only talked about what style of coaching he has. Listening to that I was reminded of the introduction of Martinson when he first came to Allen. The words may sound somewhat similar but when you hear the confidence in Marty’s voice you know what you’re getting. With Adams I heard none of that.
And with that I will predict the Americans will probably not make the playoffs.