The Utah Mammoth have already decided to extend head coach Andre Tourigny and are now adding an intriguing coach to the organization as well. Utah probably made a really good decision by re-signing its head coach after finally reaching the playoffs. Now, an intriguing coach will enter the organization, hoping to bring leadership to the team.
Adam Foote is back to coaching after being fired by the Vancouver Canucks
The former player, Adam Foote, was originally hired by the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant head coach in 2023. However, after the 2024-25 season, the Canucks saw their former head coach, Rick Tocchet, head out the door, which actually led to the promotion of Foote. Foote was seen as one of the reasons for the Canucks' success during the 2023-24 season, which saw them go 50-23-9. The next season, Vancouver struggled, but nothing like Foote's first season.
The Canucks went 25-49-8 this season and really struggled to win games without their former captain. Vancouver traded the superstar defender Quinn Hughes in the middle of December 2025, as the team looked to rebuild with younger talent. Ultimately, though, the Canucks decided that keeping Foote longer for a season wasn't worth it. Interestingly, the Mammoth and the Arizona Coyotes did the opposite of what the Canucks did, as Utah and Arizona stuck with Tourigny through a 5-year rebuild.
Utah will look to build upon good 2025-26 season
Utah adds Foote to the staff for multiple reasons, but two of the main reasons are for his leadership and for his defensive ability as a coach. The Mammoth ranked 19th in the NHL in penalty killing, which means the team definitely has room for improvement. If Foote can succeed in Utah, he will almost certainly be looking for another head-coaching job. This is especially true considering he didn't have much to succeed with in Vancouver. However, even with that, for now, Utah is getting a great assistant coach.
Utah, as a young team, needs some leadership and good coaching. Veteran Adam Foote can definitely be the missing piece of the puzzle. Sometimes, great coaches are what is missing from the puzzle of a great team. Hopefully, with Foote, the Mammoth can find some more defensive success and become an even better team.
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