Atlanta Gladiators Name Hockey Veteran Derek Nesbitt Head Coach – WABE

This season means new things for Atlanta’s minor league hockey team, the Gladiators.

The team’s beloved 5-year captain Derek Nesbitt is now the head coach. The Gladiators also join new partnerships with the American Hockey Leagues Milwaukee Admirals and the National Hockey Leagues Nashville Predators, meaning players from the minor league team can transfer to those major league teams.

Gladiators veteran Derek Nesbitt is the sixth head coach in the teams 21 season history. Nesbitt holds franchise records in games played (512), goals (166) and points (424). Nesbitt retired after the 2021-22 season, but remained with the team last season and served as an assistant coach.

“I don’t take it for granted that I’m a first-time head coach in a place that I’m so familiar with that I call home, that I don’t have to pack a bag and go anywhere,” Nesbitt said. I understand that many first-time coaches in pro hockey don’t get to do this, so I make the most of it.

Nesbitt replaces Jeff Pyle, who coached the team for 12 years, starting as the Gwinnett Gladiators and later returning when the team was renamed Atlanta.

“I think it’s going to be amazing,” Pyle said. He’s a funny guy that everyone likes. He deserves it. He’s earned it and I don’t care, I don’t see it as different. I just look like I’m moving out of the way.

In addition to announcing the new affiliations, Gladiators majority owner Alex Campbell also announced that Pyle would be promoted from head coach to director of hockey operations.

The team begins their 72-game season at home at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Ga. on Saturday, October 21st at 7:00 PM against the in-state rival Savannah Ghost Pirates.