Philips’ teams will have new leaders this winter
By Bud L. Ellis
Two new coaches will call the shots for the tenants of Philips Arena this winter.
The Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers both cut loose their coaches after the season, the Hawks firing Mike Woodson and the Thrashers letting go John Anderson.
Taking their place are Larry Drew and Craig Ramsay, two names that don’t really move the hype needle much for two franchises that could use a boost.
Drew spent six seasons under Woodson as an assistant, helping the Hawks rise from the ashes of a 13-win season to a team that’s made the Eastern Conference semifinals the past two springs. Drew spent 10 seasons as a player in the NBA and has been an assistant coach since 1992.
Ramsay played 14 seasons in the NHL and had brief head coaching stints in Buffalo (21 games in 1986-87) and Philadelphia (53 games across two seasons from 1999-2001). In the Thrashers, Ramsay inherits a franchise that’s played four playoff games in 10 years (winning none), but a roster that has been overhauled by a bevy of offseason moves.
—30—
