April 11, 2008 | 2:00am ET
Martin out as Panthers head coach TheFourthPeriod.com
According to the Miami Herald, Jacques Martin will not return as coach of the Panthers next season, although he'll likely be back as the team's GM.
At a season ticket-holders meetings on Thursday night, Panthers owner Alan Cohen confirmed that the team would not have a dual coach/GM next year. He later confirmed those remarks to the Herald.
"More than anything, we needed a change as coach," Cohen told the paper. "Jacques has done a good job as GM. That's the bottom line."
Cohen indicated that Martin will be responsible for hiring a new bench boss.
The Herald reports the team could promote from within, with assistants Guy Charron and Mike Kitchen considered early candidates.
Randy Cunneyworth, head coach of the AHL's Rochester Americans, is expected to be contacted by the Panthers once his playoff run is complete. Former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley and former Toronto coach Pat Quinn could also be in contention.
Martin did not immediate returns phone calls from the Herald and TFP.
