Don Jackson to coach EHC Red Bull München until the end of the season

Wednesday, 22. January 2025 | Don Jackson to coach EHC Red Bull München until the end of the season

Don Jackson takes over as coach until the end of the seasonComeback on Thursday against Berlin// STAFFEHC Red Bull München and Don Jackson have jointly decided that the 68-year-old will take over the position of head coach until the end of the current season.

Jackson takes up his new post at the four-time German champions with immediate effect.

He takes over from Max Kaltenhauser, who resigned as coach of EHC Red Bull München on Monday evening for personal reasons. The US-American's assistants will remain the current assistant coaches Pierre Allard and Patrick Dallaire. In addition, long-term injured forward Ben Smith will continue to strengthen the coaching staff for the time being.

Jackson: „Will try to win every game"

Don Jackson, coach Red Bull München: "Of course it wasn't my plan to return to the coaching chair. But after Christian asked me, I didn't hesitate for a second to help the organization because of the special situation. I'm ready and now looking forward to the game in Berlin, which will be special in many ways. We will make sure that our players are ready to give their best. We are now thinking game by game and will try to win every game."

The most successful DEL coach of all time with nine championship titles moved to the Bavarian capital around eleven years ago. He arrived with the reputation of having won five titles (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013) with his former team Eisbären Berlin. With the Red Bulls, the mastermind reached the final of the German Ice Hockey League six times and even made it to the final of the Champions League in 2019. He won four championships with Munich in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023. Since winning the 2023 title, he has brought his experience, expertise and winning mentality to the entire Red Bulls organization as Head of Coaching Development. Jackson is now temporarily returning to the sidelines as a coach.

Winkler: „Best solution for us"

Christian Winkler, Managing Director Sports Red Bull Ice Hockey: "After Max informed us on Monday that he would like to take some time off, we discussed it intensively together and came to the conclusion that Don is the best solution for us as a coach at the moment. We are extremely happy that Don has agreed to finish the season with us. This once again underlines the strong cohesion in the Red Bulls family."

In his 18 years as a coach in the top German league, Jackson has coached a total of 1072 games. More than anyone else. His team cheered 705 times (66 percent) after the final buzzer. The former world-class defender was also successful as a player. Among other things, he won the Stanley Cup twice in 1984 and 1985 alongside Wayne Gretzky.

First Berlin honors - then coaching comeback with the Red Bulls

The EHC Red Bull München team will travel to Berlin on Thursday, where they will face the German champions Eisbären Berlin in the evening (January 23 | 7:30 pm). Jackson will first be honored with a banner ceremony at his old place of work, after which he will coach his Red Bulls team against Berlin.