"Dallas has provided valuable leadership in San Diego since the Gulls arrived over three seasons ago," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "He has helped create a winning tradition and a successful development program with our AHL affiliate. His contract extension is a testament to that."

Eakins has led San Diego to a 118-71-10-5 record (.615% points percentage) and a pair of appearances in the Pacific Division Finals in 2016 and 2017. Named to his current post on June 26, 2015, Eakins will be behind the Gulls bench for his fourth consecutive season in 2018-19. The Dade City, Fla. native previously served as Head Coach of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers from 2013-14 (113 games) after spending eight years in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

Eakins was Head Coach of the Toronto Marlies (AHL) from 2009-13, leading the team to a 157-114-41 record in 312 games. The Marlies finished atop the North Division during Eakins' final two seasons behind the bench winning four of six playoff series. In 2012 and 2013, Eakins was named as one of two head coaches representing the Western Conference for the AHL All-Star Games. During the 2011-12 campaign, Eakins led the Marlies to a division-best 44-24-8 record and an appearance in the Calder Cup Final. Eakins has a career 275-185-25-31 record as Head Coach in the AHL.

Selected by Washington in the 10th round (208th overall) of the 1985 NHL Draft, Eakins appeared in 120 career NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and Calgary Flames.