Robert Emile Francis (born December 5, 1958 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan) was an ice hockey head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes from June 1999 to February 2004. He became the first Coyotes coach to win the Jack Adams Award in 2002. He is the son of former NHL general manager, coach Emile Francis.
On April 26, 2006 Francis signed a two year-contract to coach HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 19, 2006 Francis's contract was terminated ([1]).
The Coyotes had chosen to hire Bob Francis, who over the past 2 years, had been the assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. His only NHL experience was with the Coyotes. Francis was fired in 2004 after a slow start, and was replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.
| Team | Year | Regular season | Post season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Division rank | Result | ||
| PHX | 1999–2000 | 82 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 4 | 90 | 3rd in Pacific | Lost in first round |
| PHX | 2000–01 | 82 | 35 | 27 | 17 | 3 | 90 | 4th in Pacific | Missed Playoffs |
| PHX | 2001–02 | 82 | 40 | 27 | 9 | 6 | 95 | 2nd in Pacific | Lost in first round |
| PHX | 2002–03 | 82 | 31 | 35 | 11 | 5 | 78 | 4th in Pacific | Missed Playoffs |
| PHX | 2003–04 | 62 | 20 | 24 | 15 | 3 | (68) | 5th in Pacific | (fired) |
| Total | 390 | 165 | 144 | 60 | 21 | ||||
Although he was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, where his father was coaching the New York Rangers. Bob Francis holds both Canadian and American citizenship.
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| Preceded by Jim Schoenfeld |
Head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes 1999-2004 |
Succeeded by Rick Bowness |
| Preceded by Steve Kasper |
Head coach of the Providence Bruins 1995–97 |
Succeeded by Tom McVie |
| Preceded by Bill Barber |
Winner of the Jack Adams Award 2002 |
Succeeded by Jacques Lemaire |
| Preceded by Doug Shedden |
HIFK head coach 2006–2007 |
Succeeded by Paul Baxter |