The Columbus Blue Jackets have officially become the first NHL team to fire their head coach during the 2025-26 season.
In short, the Blue Jackets have officially turned the page on the Dean Evason era. After two seasons serving as the head coach in Columbus, the club announced on the afternoon of Jan. 12 that Evason and assistant coach Steve McCarthy had been relieved of their duties. In their place? NHL veteran and former head coach of the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets, Rick Bowness.
Columbus President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell made the announcement and said that the year had been too frustrating for the Blue Jackets to continue on the same path.
“This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations. We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly it is one that needed to be made at this time,” said Waddell according to NHL.com. “Dean did a tremendous job last year under extremely difficult circumstances and I thank him for that. I also want to thank Steve for his commitment to our club over the past five years.”
Columbus Blue Jackets welcome in Rick Bowness era
Bowness, who is 70, most recently served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24 and led the club to a 98-57-9 record in 164 games and back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
WELCOME TO COLUMBUS BONES!
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 12, 2026
Get to know your new CBJ bench boss, Rick Bowness 💥 pic.twitter.com/9JRGyJUQDN
Prior to returning behind the bench, Bowness had been working as an analyst for TNT following the conclusion of his time with the Jets.
“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve,” said Bowness. “I’m thankful to Don and [Blue Jackets President] Mike Priest and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”
At the time of his termination, Evason led the Blue Jackets to a 59-52-16 record in 127 games behind the bench since joining the club on July 22, 2024. In 378 games as an NHL head coach, he has compiled a record of 206-129-43 with both the Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild.
McCarthy joined Columbus as an assistant coach in September 2021 after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant coach with the franchise's AHL affiliate of the Cleveland Monsters.
The Blue Jackets will next host the Calgary Flames on Jan. 13. Columbus is currently dead-last in the Metropolitan Division with 45 points.
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