Time for Fire Claude Not Cowardly...Just a Little Too Late

I have to admit that I am a little disappointed and there is plenty of blame to go around. However, I am mostly disappointed with the views on this article and some - not all - of the people who call themselves Bruins fans.

I know, like most of you, I will miss Julien and thank him for the time on our team and the Stanley Cup win. And, like most of you, I realize that he is the type of rare coach that can take a team that looks dead in the water and get them places. However, what is most disappointing is the take that "This is cowardly timing" or "It is not his fault."

While some might argue it is cowardly timing, I would actually argue that it is poor timing. To actually fire a coach during the Patriots parade is obviously going to cause a lot of flak - and it is not going to be buried as a story - which was evident by the takes of fans yesterday, despite the fact people alluded to the idea their timing was sneaky. If for some reason they decided that Saturday was the last straw, cowardly would be to fire him at 6:30 on Sunday as the kickoff commenced. I would argue that it probably should have been done sooner.

As for taking the blame off Julien, yes there is a lot to go around. But, he has been defended far too often by the Dale Arnolds, Fluto Shinzawas, DJ Beans, and other voices here whose opinions I typically respect. However, sadly, his time had come and his voice has been tuned out. We should not be surprised with this in Boston. We have witnessed it with the last two championship coaches to leave. Francona said it himself, suggesting it was time for a new voice. Rivers took off in part because he knew his voice had grown old. And so it was with Julien. In fact, the signs were there two years ago...I am shocked it took this long.

We are fortunate because we see an anomoly in Foxboro with Bill Belicheck. His voice has not grown old....but he has figured it out. He changes players around so much that they can't grow tired of his voice. They are gone before it can happen. So, unfortunately, it was time for Julien to go. Thanks for all you did and I wish it could have ended better. But it is time to turn the page on a new chapter....one that may lead to the departure of other front office officials as well.

 

note I posted this on WEEI one of my favorite forms