By Mason Lyttle
JANESVILLE, WI — On Tuesday, Janesville Jets head coach and general manager Joe Dibble announced that he will be resigning from the program after serving five seasons at the helm of one of the North American Hockey League’s top programs to move to the Twin Cities to be closer to his family.
“In my career, I have been unbelievably fortunate to coach for some amazing organizations, but perhaps none better than the Janesville Jets,” Dibble said. “Words cannot accurately express how proud I am to have been part of this program’s ascent into greatness, and how lucky I consider myself to have known the dozens of athletes who we helped take the next step in their developments.
“Janesville has itself one heck of an organization, from top to bottom, on and off the ice, and I want to thank everyone in the Jets family for the last five years,” he continued. “The fans, the sponsors, the staff, the billets, my assistant coaches, my players, everyone is top notch. My family and I are going to miss Janesville, and we are looking forward to the next chapter.”
Over five seasons as both head coach and general manager, Dibble changed the culture of the Jets, and, to a certain extent, the NAHL, by putting a priority on player development and advancement, and trusting that wins would come. Dibble’s Jets had an NHL draft pick, 21 USHL draft picks (eight of which came from this season alone) and helped 51 players achieve their dream of playing NCAA Division I hockey. The player development success translated in the standings columns, where Dibble amassed a 181-91-28 career record and saw particular excellence over the last three seasons, seeing a 126-40-14 record (.739 points percentage), winning two NAHL division titles and reaching the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals twice.
“My partners and I want to wish Coach Dibble all the best as he leaves coaching to get involved in the administrative side of the hockey business,” said Jets President Bill McCoshen. “Together we have made Janesville a destination for elite hockey players who want to develop and advance to the NCAA Division I or III levels and the USHL. Coach Dibble will always have a tremendous coaching legacy in Janesville and left us in very good shape going forward.”
McCoshen, who with his partners established the Jets in 2009, named Dibble the second head coach in franchise history in 2012.
“We are proud of the championship culture we have created in Janesville,” McCoshen said. “Our brand is strong and will allow us to attract another high-quality head coach. We will find a new head coach that shares our values of doing right by the players and by the community. We remain committed to player development and advancement over winning at any cost. The Jets are a community team and our players will remain actively involved in the community.”
A search for a new head coach is already underway. New assistant coach Corey Leivermann, also announced Tuesday, will remain in his new position for the upcoming season.
Contact the Janesville Jets’ front office at (608) 752-JETS, or go to www.janesvillejets.com for news about the Jets’ upcoming ninth season, including the 2017-18 schedule, promotional calendar, community outreach, season ticket information, and sponsorship opportunities. Stay connected to the Jets through Facebook (/janesvillehockey) and Twitter (@JanesvilleJets1).
— JANESVILLE JETS —