The Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe reports that Toledo Walleye coach Dan Watson has signed a 5-year contract extension with the Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate:
After five years at the helm of the Toledo Walleye franchise, head coach Dan Watson is back for five more years.
Watson has been part of the Walleye organization since its inception in 2009-10, first as an assistant coach and then as the team’s head coach beginning in 2016-17. On Thursday, Watson signed a five-year contract extension.
“Being the head coach in Toledo is a true honor,” Watson said after throwing out the first pitch at the Mud Hens game. “It’s the top franchise in the ECHL for a lot of reasons. It’s very humbling to be standing here signing a five-year contract.”
The Walleye have never missed the playoffs in his first five seasons, and Watson has guided the team to two appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals. Toledo fell short in the 2018-19 season, losing to Newfoundland in the championship round. Last season, Watson guided Toledo back to the Finals before the Walleye lost to the Florida Everblades.
“Ultimately, our goal is to win the Kelly Cup. We’ve been close,” Watson said.
