Do you know who has run the Maple Leafs over the last 100+ years? Learn more about the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs coaches, since their founding in 1917.
With over 100 years’ worth of rich history, including an impressive 13 Stanley Cup wins, the Toronto Maple Leafs are NHL royalty. But which coaches have etched their names into Toronto history over the years? We’ve compiled a complete list of Toronto Maple Leafs coaches, from the team’s year of inception to the modern day; and highlighted those who’ve stood head and shoulders above the rest!
Toronto Maple Leafs head coaches history
A total of 32 head coaches have led the Toronto Maple Leafs throughout their history, with the full list broken out below:
2020s
So far, this decade, the Maple Leafs have been guided by a couple of coaches, with Craig Berube having headed up the team since 2024, following a five-year stint from Sheldon Keefe.
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Craig Berube: 2024 – Present
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Sheldon Keefe: 2019 – 2024
2010s
The 2010s saw a handful of coaches pass through, though none took to team to tangible success.
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Mike Babcock: 2015 – 2019
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Peter Horachek: 2015
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Randy Carlyle: 2012 – 2015
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Ron Wilson: 2008 – 2012
2000s
Pat Quinn carried the team into the 21st century – and is still the longest-serving coach since the great Punch Imlach – before Paul Maurice took over in 2006. Meanwhile, Ron Wilson ran the show from 2008, with his tenure spanning into the 2010s.
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Paul Maurice: 2006 – 2008
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Pat Quinn: 1998 – 2006
1990s
The 90s saw a series of Toronto Maple Leafs coaches; however, none were able to bring about any real success. Ultimately, the franchise sought the services of Pat Quinn in ’98, who led the Leafs to their first Division Championship in 60 years.
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Mike Murphy: 1996 – 1998
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Nick Beverley: 1996
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Pat Burns: 1992 – 1996
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Tom Watt: 1990 – 1992
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Doug Carpenter: 1989 – 1990
1980s
The 80s saw many coaches heading up the Toronto Maple Leafs, including four in 1980 alone!
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George Armstrong: 1988 – 1889
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John Brophy: 1986 – 1988
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Dan Maloney: 1984 – 1986
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Mike Nykoluk: 1981 – 1984
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Joe Crozier: 1980 – 1981
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Punch Imlach: 1980
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Dick Duff: 1980
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Floyd Smith: 1979 – 1980
1970s
Punch Imlach’s positive impact was inevitably going to be tough to replicate. Unfortunately, none of McLellan, Kelly, nor Neilson could quite live up to the reputation Imlach had set for the franchise.
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Roger Neilson: 1977 – 1979
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Red Kelly: 1973 – 1977
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John McLellan: 1969 – 1973
1960s
The 60s saw Hall of Famer Punch Imlach run the show. It was a role he maintained for over 10 years, and he won four Stanley Cups for his trouble – including their most recent, in 1967.
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Punch Imlach: 1958 – 1969
1950s
The 50s started off well, with Stanley Cup victory in ’51. However, success quickly dried up, with the team failing to win anything of note for another decade.
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Billy Reay: 1957 – 1958
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Howie Meeker: 1956 – 1957
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King Clancy: 1953 – 1956
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Joe Primeau: 1950 – 1953
1930s and 1940s
While the early 30s might’ve seen three Toronto Maple Leafs coaches between 1930 – 1931, things soon settled down, with Dick Irvin running the show for the rest of the decade, before Hap Day picked up for the entirety of the 40s (winning five Stanley Cups).
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Hap Day: 1940 – 1950
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Dick Irvin: 1931 – 1940
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Conn Smythe: 1931
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Art Duncan: 1930 – 1931
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Conn Smythe: 1927 – 1930
1920s
Following their Stanley Cup victory in 1918 and then again in 1922, the 20s saw a relatively quick rotation of head coaches to no avail.
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Alex Romeril: 1927
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Mike Rodden: 1927
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Charles Querrie: 1926 – 1927
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Eddie Powers: 1924 – 1926
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Charlies Querrie: 1923 – 1924
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George O’Donoghue: 1921 – 1922
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Frank Carroll: 1920 – 1921
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Harvey Sproule: 1920
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Frank Heffernan: 1919 – 1920
1910s
The very first Toronto head coach: Dick Carroll ran the team during its early years, steering them to Stanley Cup success in 1918.
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Dick Carroll: 1917 – 1919
Who is the longest serving Toronto Maple Leafs head coach?
The longest serving coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the great Punch Imlach, who led the team for +10 years and 750 games between ’58 and ’69. During his tenure, he helped the Leafs to four Stanley Cups, including a threepeat between 1962, 1963, 1964. In fact, he’s the last Toronto Maple Leafs coach to lift the Stanley Cup, with his final victory coming in 1967.
Who is the current Toronto Maple Leafs coach?
The current Toronto Maple Leafs head coach is Craig Berube, who took over in May 2024, replacing Sheldon Keefe – incidentally, he previously played for the Leafs in 1991 – 1992. During the 2024/25 regular season, as coach, he achieved a record of 52 wins and 26 losses from 82 games.
Who is the most successful Toronto Maple Leafs coach?
A few Toronto Maple Leafs coaches have won the ultimate prize in ice hockey: the Stanley Cup. However, Hap Day is credited with the most success, having won the Stanley Cup five times during his ten-year tenure – including three in a row between 1947 – 1949. Punch Imlach is another hero, with his four Stanley Cups ensuring his place in Maple Leafs folklore.
So, there we go! The complete list of all Toronto Maple Leafs coaches to lead the franchise since its inception over 100 years ago. If you think 2026 is the year of Toronto, you’ll find all the latest NHL betting odds from Betway – where you’ll also find all the latest Stanley Cup odds. Alternatively, stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
