ECHL: Allen Americans Make A Coaching Change

Photo: Josh Reilly/Inside the Rink

The Allen Americans announced on Thursday that they’ve fired head coach and General Manager BJ Adams. Allen is currently 10-17-5-0, sixth in the Mountain Division, and 14 points out of a playoff spot. The last time the Americans didn’t qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs was during the 2018-19 season. This is the second head coaching change in the ECHL this year after Worcester’s Bob Deraney changed roles in the organization.

A Disappointing Start For Allen

The Allen Americans had a very interesting off-season, including the hiring of B.J. Adams after Chad Costello led the team to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of his two seasons as the bench boss of the Americans was fired this Summer with a year left on his contract. Adams had previously spent the past eight years with the Erie Otters.

“We appreciate Coach Adams contributions,” said Americans Owner Myles Jack, but we needed to make a change.”
Allen Americans Owner Myles Jack on the firing of Adams

Brad Ferguson Named Interim Head Coach and GM

Americans assistant coach Brett Ferguson will now take over as the team’s head coach and GM on an interim basis. Ferguson brings a lot of experience at both the NHL and AHL levels, primarily as a video coach, but did spend one season as an assistant coach with the San Diego Gulls during the 2018-19 season and had spent the previous five seasons as a video coach with the Anaheim Ducks before taking the assistant coaching gig with the Americans this summer. The Iowa native won’t have much time to prepare as the Americans will begin a three-in-three on the road with two games in Wichita before finishing off the weekend in Tulsa.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Armand Klisivitch

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor Credentialed Reporter for the Adirondack Thunder & Worcester Railers.

One thought on “ECHL: Allen Americans Make A Coaching Change”

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Matt Salhany Returns To Adirondack After Five Year Hiatus

The Adirondack Thunder made a splash on Wednesday afternoon as they announced the signing of forward Matt Salhany for the 2025-26 season. In 43 games last season with Marseille (Ligue Magnus), he put up 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points. He would add two goals and an assist for three points in six […]

Read More

ECHL: Jack O’Leary Re-Signs with Norfolk Admirals

The Norfolk Admirals have announced that they’ve re-signed rookie forward Jack O’Leary for the 2025-26 season. O’Leary, 25, joined Norfolk at the end of the regular season on an ATO before signing a contract with Norfolk once the tryout was over. He had one assist in six games. He would join the Admirals for the […]

Read More

ECHL: Craig Needham Returns to Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades are bringing back a familiar face down the middle, re-signing forward Craig Needham for the 2025–26 ECHL season. The 26-year-old Medford, Massachusetts native is set to enter his third full year — and fourth ECHL stint overall — with the club, bringing veteran poise, defensive reliability, and a knack for rising to […]

Read More