Burnaby, B.C. — January 16, 2010 — Burnaby Express general manager Darcy Rota will complete the season as the team?s interim head coach after the club parted ways with Dave McLellan following Friday evening?s 8-2 loss in Surrey.
?The team had been struggling for some time and we felt that the time for a change had come,? says Rota. ?Our ownership group determined that I would lead the team through the end of this season, and we?re going to start the search for a new Head Coach immediately.?
McLellan had been a part of the Burnaby Express organization for five seasons. He joined the team as an assistant coach on Rick Lanz?s staff and was a part of the team?s National Championship season in 2006.
He took over as the team?s head coach prior to the 2007/08 campaign.
?On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to thank Dave for his commitment to the Burnaby Express over the past five years,? says Rota. ?A decision of this nature is never an easy one, particularly in light of all that Dave has contributed in his time with us.?
Rota will step behind the bench for the first time this evening when the Express host the Coastal Conference-leading Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
?We really want to get back to the culture that this organization is all about, and that is a foundation built on work ethic,? he explains. ?Our goal now is to work hard towards making the playoffs, and it will also give me the opportunity to assess our players from a closer vantage point.?
