Fri Apr 11 01:45:33 2008

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Martin won't coach Panthers, will remain GM

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Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers will have a new head coach for the 2008-09 season, and that coach will be selected by the man who vacated the position late Thursday, according to a published report.

The Miami Herald learned late Thursday that team owner Alan Cohen relayed the message publicly that he and Martin agreed that a new coach is needed. Martin will maintain his duties as general manager and will hire the next head coach.

Martin took over as head coach and GM prior to the 2006-07 season. He had previously led Ottawa to a successful eight-season playoff run but was let go by the Senators after they lost to Toronto in the first round of the 2004 postseason.

This past season, the Panthers finished with a winning record of 38-35-9 but missed the playoffs. Florida has not reached the postseason since 2000.