Former Binghamton Senators assistant coach Luke Richardson abruptly released a statement on Monday saying he wasn’t returning to the Ottawa Senators organization.
“I’ve enjoyed my four years of coaching in Binghamton and am proud of the accomplishments of the players and team,” said Richardson. “I’d like to thank the Senators organization for providing me with the opportunity to be a head coach and I am looking forward to the next challenge in my coaching career.”
Richardson appeared on TSN 1200 on Monday and discussed his decision to leave the organization following the Senators hiring of general manager Pierre Dorion. According to Richardson, Dorion flat out told him he didn’t have the credentials to be the next head coach of the Senators.
Luke Richardson said Sens GM Pierre Dorion told him: "We have a list of candidates with our credentials — and you're not on it."
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) April 18, 2016
That’s an unnecessarily blunt way to put things.
Richardson has overseen the development of a lot good young Senators, like Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone, during his four years with Binghamton. He’s also become an integral part of the Ottawa community promoting mental health. Yes, Richardson’s teams have missed the playoffs in consecutive years, but Ottawa’s not exactly producing high-quality minor league players. Richardson had been a coach with the organization for seven years, so it must be extremely disappointing he wasn’t even considered or interviewed for the position.
For now, Richardson told Mendes he wants to be a head coach. He’s put the time in, in the minor leagues, so that’s a fair goal to aspire towards. That opportunity won’t be coming in Ottawa, however.
