Rowe out as Panthers head coach; Tallon named general manager

Tallon returns to role he previously held with team from 2010-16

SUNRISE, Fla. – Tom Rowe is officially out as head coach of the Florida Panthers.

The team made the announcement Monday.

Dale Tallon will also return to the role he previously held as general manager. Tallon, 66, served as GM from 2010 to 2016, when he was reassigned to serve as president of hockey operations.

Tallon will lead the search for the next Panthers head coach.

 "We have the talent to get back on track in a hurry," Tallon said in a statement. "This was a difficult year for us, but I think we learned some tough lessons about what it takes to win consistently in the NHL. With a few tweaks to our roster and the right leadership, I'm confident we can get back to contending for the Stanley Cup next season."

Rowe, 60, will no longer serve as general manager and interim head coach, but he'll remain with the team as a special advisor to Tallon. Rowe took over after Gerard Gallant was fired in November.

"Dale will continue to be our principle leader as we pursue this single goal," Panthers chairman Vincent Viola said in a statement.

The Panthers finished the season with a 35-36-11 record.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.