Jon Cooper is just getting started in Tampa Bay.
The Lightning announced Tuesday they have signed their head coach to a multi-year contract extension.
🗣 COOOOOOOOP!
He’s not going anywhere. Originally named our head coach on March 25, 2013, we’ve signed him today to a multi-year contract extension. ⚡️https://t.co/1GuuHexBuG
— p – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 26, 2019
“I am very pleased to announce Jon’s extension today,” vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement. “His ability to forge impactful relationships with everyone from players to staff has been a trademark of his tenure with the organization and he is the absolute best coach for our hockey team.
“Coop’s ability to develop a strong culture while continually adapting has been a big part of the team’s success. He has helped set high standards for our organization with his unrelenting drive for excellence. I would like to thank Coop and his family for their continuous commitment to the organization, as well as to the Tampa Bay community, and I look forward to working in partnership with Jon for years to come.”
Cooper, 51, joined the Lightning in March 2013 and has a 302-157-44 record over his career. He is the longest tenured head coach in the club’s history as well as the all-time leader in wins.
His contract was set to expire after this season, though Tampa Bay was sure to address that after he led the team to a league-best 59-14-4 record this season to claim the Presidents’ Trophy.
Cooper has also led the Lightning to the playoffs in each of his six seasons at the helm but one, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 before falling to the Blackhawks.
