The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins today announced the coaching staff for the 2016-2017 season. Last season’s coach, Clark Donatelli, will be returning to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a multi-year deal. Further contract details have yet to be announced. Additionally, Chris Taylor and J.D. Forrest have been announced as Assistants

The bigger news however is what the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins did not announce today. WB/S has made no announcement regarding the future of coach Jay Leach.

After Mike Sullivan’s callup to Pittsburgh on December 12, 2015, then assistant coach Jay Leach was promoted to head coach on an interim basis. On December 22, 2015 Donatelli, the former coach of the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, was promoted to head coach in WB/S. Leach was demoted to associate coach.

Mike Sullivan started the 2015-2016 season in the AHL torching the league 33-16. The Pens showed no drop off under Leach’s brief tenure. Under Leach, the Pens won 3 games and lost once in a shootout. After Donatelli entered the picture, the Pens cooled off and finished the season 22-22. Donatelli led the Penguins to the 2nd round of the Calder Cup Playoff, where he was ultimately outcoached against the Hershey Bears.

The WB/S Penguins were certainly a weaker team under Donatelli, but it is difficult to say how much is of this drop off was due to personnel changes or the ever changing leadership of the team. However, coaches at the AHL must adapt to constant roster flux to find success in this league. Donatelli was unable to do that. Leach seemed to have a better understanding of the players and how best to use them. After being passed over for the head coaching job in WB/S twice now, it is very apparent he has reached his ceiling within this organization.

It really is not clear why Leach is not fit to coach this team. Leach is rumored to be pursuing other head coaching opportunities in the AHL, and the Penguins are evidently sticking with Donatelli. The WB/S Penguins have a long history of grooming NHL coaches. This time it seems like one might have been squandered and slipped through their fingers.