Jets Hire Ryan Black; Lennie Childs Advances

Aug 11, 2021

By Mason Lyttle (@MasonLyttle) | August 11, 2021 | 10:57am

JANESVILLE, WI — The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League, have added Ryan Black as Assistant Coach.

Black will step in as Associate Head Coach Lennie Childs advances his career to the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers, where he was named Assistant Coach on Wednesday.

“I’m beyond thankful.”


Black, 26, has quickly risen the ranks in his young coaching career. After ending his playing career with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits in 2020, Black went back to his alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach at Northern Michigan. After a season volunteering in Marquette, Black accepted an Assistant Coach position with the USPHL’s Minnesota Moose in May 2021, working for Jets General Manager Joe Dibble.

“We are beyond pleased and excited to welcome Ryan Black to Janesville,” said Jets Head Coach Parker Burgess. “Ryan brings passion, energy and experience at the NCAA Division 1 level as both a player and as a coach. His commitment to player development and a positive, player centered culture allows our organization to continue to develop and advance our Jet players to the next level. I’m excited to work with Ryan, and to have him and his girlfriend, Taylor, join the Janesville community.”

Black, who like his predecessor calls himself a high-energy coach with a passion for development, couldn’t pass up the opportunity to coach in Janesville.

“I’m beyond thankful to Bill McCoshen, Joe Dibble, and Parker Burgess for this opportunity to become a Jet. What attracted me to the Jets organization is the commitment to developing and advancing the players, and creating that positive player-centric experience,” Black said. “I believe these values and philosophies align with mine both on and off the ice. Taylor and I are excited to join the Jets family, and also the larger Janesville community. I can’t express enough how thankful I am for the opportunity to continue my learning and development in an environment like this that Mr. McCoshen, Joe, and Parker have created.”

Once a Jet, Always a Jet


Few have impacted the Jets organization like Lennie Childs, who combines his playing (2010-12) and coaching (2018-21) careers for over 250 games as a Janesville Jet.

“Janesville is a special place in junior hockey,” said Burgess. “A big part of that is because we’re committed to developing and advancing both players and coaches. While it’s difficult to say goodbye to Lennie, we’re very excited for him and the opportunity he has in Des Moines.”