NLL: Mammoth GM Govett Fires Coach, Takes Reins
from press release
DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth announced
Tuesday that Steve Govett has assumed the head coaching reigns of
the team. Already president and general manager, Govett now
takes to the bench for the first time in his career.
With the 14-13 loss in the team’s home opener last Saturday
night at Pepsi Center, the team fell to 0-2 and into last place in
the West division. A team with a rich tradition and storied
history of making the playoffs in each of its seven seasons in
Colorado, Govett felt that a change was needed at the top.
“I have a standard and a vision for this team,” the
new coach stated. “And sometimes it’s hard to
have others buy in to that vision and carry it out if they’re
not 100 percent in sync with what I’m looking for. I
think our fans deserve better than what we’ve shown on the
field so far.” Govett takes the coaching helm on an
interim basis, but will continually assess the possibility of
finding a more permanent solution in the head coaching role.
“For now, I’m the head coach, but that doesn’t
mean that I won’t find the right person down the line who
fits exactly what I’m looking for,” added Govett.
Govett will replace Bob McMahon on the bench this weekend in a
pair of road games. The Mammoth will be at Minnesota on
Friday, January 22 for Govett’s coaching debut. On
Saturday night, the team travels to Philadelphia to face off
against the Wings.
In just over two full seasons, McMahon posted a 16-18 regular
season record coupled with a 0-2 playoff record. Twice in
2009 the team suffered through consecutive home losses –
unheard of – and unacceptable for this franchise. Two
straight losses at Pepsi Center had been experienced only once
before 2009 – in 2008 – McMahon’s first year on
the Mammoth bench. Prior to the stop in Denver, McMahon was
an assistant coach with the Arizona Sting. There he helped
guide the team to two NLL championship games in four seasons.
The former NLL executive of the year, Govett now brings his brand
of leadership to the bench and is excited about the
challenge. “There will be some new things to adjust to,
but I’ve been with this team every step of the way for eight
seasons,” noted the head coach. “I’m
excited to get our team playing up to the potential I know it
has.”
Under Govett’s leadership, the Mammoth has won three
division titles, made seven consecutive playoff appearances and
captured the 2006 NLL championship. He is also the all-time
leading goal scorer at his alma mater, Radford (VA) University,
where he celebrated 118 goals. Following his collegiate
career, he became part of the indoor lacrosse dynasty of the
1990’s that was the Philadelphia Wings. A native of
Burnaby, British Columbia, Govett maintains dual citizenship in
Canada and the United States.
The next home game for Colorado is Saturday, Jan. 30 as the Washington Stealth visits Pepsi Center on Heroes’ Night. Game time is 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale now.
