Red Wings Fire Coach Demers, Name Murray

The Detroit Red Wings today fired Coach Jacques Demers and named former Washington Capitals Coach Bryan Murray as coach and general manager.

The NHL club announced the moves in a written statement and said it would hold a news conference Monday.

Demers guided the team to the playoffs three straight years before finishing last season 28-38-14. Demers, 45, had three years on a $250,000-a-year contract and will continue to receive his salary in each of those seasons, the club said.

The Red Wings earlier this week promoted General Manager Jim Devellano to senior vice president, and Murray widely was rumored to be his successor. The Montreal Journal quoted team sources today as saying Murray would agree to become general manager only if he was made head coach as well.

“I feel it’s absolutely necessary to consolidate the positions of GM and head coach,” Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in the statement. “This gives Bryan Murray complete autonomy and total authority in all hockey matters.”

Murray coached 8 1/2 seasons at Washington and was NHL coach of the year in 1983-84. His teams made the playoffs seven consecutive seasons but never advanced past the second round. The Capitals fired Murray in January and replaced him with his brother, Terry.