Stingrays fire head coach Brenden Kotyk after missing playoffs for the second time

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Brenden Kotyk, the head coach and director of operations of the South Carolina Stingrays, has been relieved of his duties.

The Stingrays announced Kotyk's firing on April 26.

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"We want to thank Brenden for his hard work and commitment to our organization over the last four seasons and wish him nothing but the best," said Stingrays President Rob Concannon. "Missing the Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2022 and 2024 and losing last year in the first round is not the standard and expectation for our organization. We need to get back to playing meaningful hockey in May and June."

Kotyk had served as South Carolina's head coach since 2021.

During the 2024 season, the Stingrays won only a single game in April and missed the playoffs for the third time in 31 years.

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The team says the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

The Stingrays are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals and the AHL's Hershey Bears.