Dean Maynard is no longer head coach and general manager of the Osoyoos Coyotes, the team announced Tuesday. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

The Osoyoos Coyotes organization says it’s parted ways “amicably and mutually” with head coach and general manager Dean Maynard.

The team announced the coaching change on its Twitter Tuesday night and said that Grant Williams has been named interim head coach.

“Dean feels as though this is for the betterment of his health and wellbeing and for personal reasons, which I fully support,” team owner and president Randy Bedard said. “I’m very appreciative of everything he’s done with the team.”

Maynard was named head coach and general manager in April after serving as interim coach since January when the team relieved Mark Chase of the role.

Chase started coaching the team in June 2018 when Ken Law’s contract was not renewed. Law coached and managed the team since its inception.

Originally from Vanderhoof, Williams brings a wealth of experience playing and coaching hockey, including in Prince George, Bedard said.

“He’s really well respected in hockey circles,” he said. “He’s a great person and I think he’s going to be a wonderful addition to the team.”

Williams is in the position on an interim basis as Bedard continues to search for a permanent replacement for Maynard.

A business owner, Bedard said it’s unlikely that Williams will be able to commit to the position long-term.

“He’s been gracious enough to give us his time … but it is a very entailing job.”

Fans might see Williams fall into an assistant coaching role once a new head coach and general manager has been hired.

Assistant coaches Dan Dahlgren and Scott Boland have chosen to follow Maynard and part ways with the team.

For the remainder of the season Williams will be supported by athletic trainer Justin Price.

For now, Bedard wants the team to keep morale high.

“It’s just realizing that we’re not done – we have more than half a season to play,” he said.

The team has spent this season in last place of the KIJHL’s Bill Ohlhausen division, winning its first and only game on Nov. 8.

With a record of 1-17-1-2, the team is still at the bottom with the Kelowna Chiefs, now coached by Law, leading at 16-3-0.

Following the win and a tie last weekend, the Coyotes were unable to keep the momentum going, losing two games on the road this weekend.

The Coyotes traveled to Creston on Nov. 15 where they played the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, suffering a 3-5 loss. Osoyoos goals were scored by Brendan Moseley, Ryan MacDonald and Anthony Tulliani.

The next night a goal from Mosley was the team’s only one in a 1-7 loss against the Fernie Ghostriders.

They host the Revelstoke Grizzlies on Nov. 23 at 7:35 p.m.