Blue Jackets Coaching Notes: Dorsett, Recchi, McCarthy, Boll

The rippling effects of the regime change in Columbus are beginning to be felt by multiple members of the organization’s coaching staff. Although no positions have been filled up to this point, we know of a few coaches who will not be on the bench with Dean Evason and the Columbus Blue Jackets next season.

Covering all of the departures, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic begins with Derek Dorsett who had been serving as the team’s development coach for the last few years. As his only professional coaching role to date, Dorsett became a development coach with the Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters for the 2021-22 season. Portzline outlines that Dorsett’s departure may not have as much to do with the head coaching change as it has to do with not having the necessary time to commit to the coaching role as a new father.

Dorsett may eventually return to the Blue Jackets organization as he lives in the Columbus area with his family. He made his professional debut with the Blue Jackets in the 2008-09 season and scored 27 goals and 65 points in 280 regular season games as a tough-nosed winger.

Other coaching notes:

• The only assistant coach officially terminated by Columbus’ brass according to Portzline was Hall of Fame forward Mark Recchi. The long-time NHL forward began his coaching career relatively soon after his lengthy playing career ended after the 2010-11 season. Recchi began work as a development coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014-15 before transitioning to the team’s assistant coach in 2017-18. After a brief two-year stint as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, Recchi’s only year as an assistant coach with the Blue Jackets will be last season.
• As reported a few days ago, Portzline confirms that assistant coach Jared Boll will be back with the organization next year. Additionally, Portzline notes that assistant coach Steve McCarthy will be back on the bench next season leaving Columbus with only one assistant coach vacancy heading into the 2024-25 campaign. The vacancies must get filled relatively quickly though as the league is quickly approaching the start of training camp in late September.