Bob Francis (coach)

Robert "Bob" Francis (born December 5, 1958 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) was an ice hockey centre and the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes from June 1999 to February 2004. He became the first Coyotes coach to win the Jack Adams Award in 2002. He was also a former player for the Detroit Red Wings.
==Playing career==
Francis played for the University of New Hampshire from 1976-80. He turned pro in 1980 but spent most of hism time in the minor leagues. Francis did play 14 games for the Detroit Red Wings in 1982-83, and scored 2 goals and no assists. He retired from playing in 1987.
On April 26, 2006 Francis signed a two year-contract to coach HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 19, 2006 Francis's contract was terminated.
==Minor League Coaching==
Before joining the NHL, Francis coached Salt Lake (IHL), Saint John (AHL), and Providence (AHL)
Team Season W L OTL/T
Salt Lake 1989-90 37 36 9
Salt Lake 1990-91 50 28 5 
Salt Lake 1991-92 33 40 9
Salt Lake 1992-93 38 39 5 
Saint John 1993-94 37 33 10
Saint John 1994-95 27 40 13
Providence 1995-96 30 36 14
Providence 1996-97 35 40 5
==NHL Coaching Career==
The Coyotes had chosen to hire Bob Francis, who over the past 2 years, had been the assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. His only NHL experience was with the Coyotes. Francis was fired in 2004 after a slow start, and was replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.
Team 	Year 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season 	Post season
Team 	Year 	G 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	Pts 	Division rank 	Result
PHX 	1999-00	82 	39 	31 	8 	4 	90 	3<SUP>rd</SUP> in Pacific	Lost in First Round
PHX 	2000-01	82 	35 	37 	17 	3 	90 	4<SUP>th</SUP> in Pacific	Missed Playoffs
PHX 	2001-02	82 	40 	27 	9 	6 	95 	2<SUP>nd</SUP> in Pacific	Lost in First Round
PHX 	2002-03	82 	31 	35 	11 	5 	78 	4<SUP>th</SUP> in Pacific	Missed Playoffs
PHX 	2003-04	62 	20 	24 	15 	3 	(68) 	5<SUP>th</SUP> in Pacific	(fired)
Total	Total 	390 	165 	144 	60 	21 	 	 	
==Personal==
Although he was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, where his dad Emile Francis, was coaching the New York Rangers. Bob Francis holds both Canadian and American citizenship.
Category:Born in 1958
Category:Adirondack Red Wings players
Category:Birmingham Bulls (CHL) players
Category:Canadian ice hockey coaches
Category:Canadian ice hockey players
Category:Colorado Flames players
Category:Detroit Red Wings players
Category:Jack Adams Award winners
Category:Muskegon Mohawks players
Category:New Hampshire Wildcats players
Category:Oklahoma City Stars players
Category:Phoenix Coyotes coaches
Category:Salt Lake Golden Eagles players
Category:Salt Lake Golden Eagles coaches
Category:Saint John Flames coaches
Category:Providence Bruins coaches
Category:HIFK Helsinki coaches