Firing of John Farrell brings back memories, lessons learned for Bruins' Bruce Cassidy

DENVER – It was 10 years ago when the Red Sox swept the Rockies to win the 2007 World Series at Coors Field. John Farrell was the pitching coach for the Red Sox, and today, he was fired as the club’s manager after enjoying great success in Boston.

News spread quickly here as the Bruins face the Avalanche tonight at Pepsi Center. Since Bruce Cassidy is relatively new in Boston, he did not know Farrell, but the Bruins coach can empathize.



“You always feel bad,” Cassidy told BostonSportsJournal.com. “Guys have families and he’s been here, laid down roots and won a World Series. It’s a humbling experience to be told your services are no longer required. Everybody hurts a little inside from that. I tend to be a positive guy and he had accomplishments where he should get another opportunity somewhere else and continue working if that’s what he wants to do.”

Cassidy understands first-hand what he feels like to be fired from a coaching job. He coached the Capitals for a season and a half from 2002 to 2004, and during the second season, the Capitals were 8-18-1-1 when he was relieved of his coaching duties.

“It was a punch in the stomach,” recalled Cassidy.

Cassidy would always be at the rink early, but he received a call to come in earlier to meet with the general manager.

“I kind of knew something wasn’t right. It was weird because that never happened,” Cassidy said. “I thought something’s happening today. Either I’m out, or there’s a trade and we had already traded our captain. It was a short discussion. I went home and it was a tough afternoon once it sank in. It was going to be out there, so I wanted to call my mother. My father had passed away, so I wanted to let her know I was fine.”

It was a situation he dwelled on for days.

“For me, there was a bit of relief for about five minutes,” he said. “We were struggling, so I didn’t have to rack my brain about how we’re going to be good tonight? How are we going to win? What lines am I going to use? How am I going to get through to this guy? So, I was able to take a deep breath and not have to worry.

“But then it sinks in that you’re fired. They don’t want you. It’s a bit embarrassing and I had to call my mom and here I am a 40-year-old man telling her, ‘Sorry, mom. I did my best.’”

In this business, once you’re out it can be tough to get back into the game, so Cassidy made sure to quickly get back to work. He began scouting for the Blackhawks. He had met with Randy Carlyle, who was the assistant coach at that time, and he told Cassidy to get back into the game.

“He told me, ‘You’re young. You’re going to get another chance. Let GMs see you out there working. Let people know you want to stay in the game. Shake some hands and do your job.’ That’s what happened and I started running into people and slowly worked my way back into the business.”

There’s also a sense of motivation. You want to prove to people that you are a good coach and have the ability to lead a team to success.

“You always want a second chance to prove yourself,” Cassidy said. “It didn’t end the way I wanted. Some guys have a legacy. Claude (Julien) won a Cup here, Farrell won a World Series – they have that in their back pocket. I was just starting out (in Washington) and didn’t have any of that. I wanted another chance and had to figure out how I was going to get it and that’s where Randy helped me.”

Cassidy eventually signed with Chicago in 2004 as an assistant coach, working with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals during the NHL lockout in 2004-05. He worked as an assistant with the Blackhawks in 2005-06. He became the head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs in 2006-07 before landing a job with the Bruins as the assistant coach in Providence at the start of the 2008-09 season.

Cassidy was the assistant for three seasons before being named coach in 2011.

“That worked out really well,” explained Cassidy. “It was a good fit for me at the time, so when I get the chance in Boston last year to start building and separating yourself from your first experience and creating a new identity and that started last year and that’s where I’m at right now. I want to build a foundation where you’re considered a good guy, a good coach, a good person and we’re doing it in a market I grew up adoring.

“I know it’s a tough market, but a lot of them are – Montreal, Toronto, New York. Clearly there are some tougher markets, but no matter where you are there’s pressure to perform. For us, there’s pressure to win.”

Cassidy understands the expectations in Boston and hopes to deliver a winning product and Stanley Cup winner once again. If not, he realizes what the end result will be.