{"id":116293,"date":"2026-01-28T10:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T10:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/uncategorized-ca\/a-history-of-toronto-maple-leafs-coaches\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T20:38:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T20:38:36","slug":"toronto-maple-leafs-coaches-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/hockey\/nhl\/toronto-maple-leafs-coaches-history\/","title":{"rendered":"A history of Toronto Maple Leafs coaches"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":116357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[775],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl"],"acf":{"brief_description":"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.","auto_update_sportal365":true,"property_type":["","run_ads","","","",""],"authors":false,"properties":{"ads_enabled":true,"adult_content":false,"important":false,"live":false},"live_url":"","type_of_redirect":"permanent","body":[{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>With over 100 years\u2019 worth of rich history, including an impressive 13 Stanley Cup wins, the Toronto Maple Leafs are <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/nhl\/\">NHL<\/a> royalty. But which coaches have etched their names into Toronto history over the years? We\u2019ve compiled a complete list of Toronto Maple Leafs coaches, from the team\u2019s year of inception to the modern day; and highlighted those who\u2019ve stood head and shoulders above the rest!<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h2>Toronto Maple Leafs head coaches history&nbsp;<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>A total of 32 head coaches have led the Toronto Maple Leafs throughout their history, with the full list broken out below:<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>2020s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Craig Berube: 2024 \u2013 Present<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Sheldon Keefe: 2019 \u2013 2024&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>2010s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>The 2010s saw a handful of coaches pass through, though none took to team to tangible success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Mike Babcock: 2015 \u2013 2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Peter Horachek: 2015&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Randy Carlyle: 2012 \u2013 2015&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Ron Wilson: 2008 \u2013 2012&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>2000s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>Pat Quinn carried the team into the 21st century \u2013 and is still the longest-serving coach since the great Punch Imlach &#8211; before Paul Maurice took over in 2006. Meanwhile, Ron Wilson ran the show from 2008, with his tenure spanning into the 2010s.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Paul Maurice: 2006 \u2013 2008&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Pat Quinn: 1998 &#8211; 2006<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1990s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>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 \u201998, who led the Leafs to their first Division Championship in 60 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Mike Murphy: 1996 \u2013 1998&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Nick Beverley: 1996&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Pat Burns: 1992 \u2013 1996&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Tom Watt: 1990 \u2013 1992&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Doug Carpenter: 1989 \u2013 1990&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1980s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>The 80s saw many coaches heading up the Toronto Maple Leafs, including four in 1980 alone!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>George Armstrong: 1988 \u2013 1889&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>John Brophy: 1986 \u2013 1988&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Dan Maloney: 1984 \u2013 1986&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Mike Nykoluk: 1981 \u2013 1984&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Joe Crozier: 1980 \u2013 1981&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Punch Imlach: 1980&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Dick Duff: 1980&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Floyd Smith: 1979 &#8211; 1980&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1970s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>Punch Imlach\u2019s 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Roger Neilson: 1977 \u2013 1979&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Red Kelly: 1973 \u2013 1977&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>John McLellan: 1969 \u2013 1973&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1960s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>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 \u2013 including their most recent, in 1967.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Punch Imlach: 1958 \u2013 1969&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1950s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>The 50s started off well, with Stanley Cup victory in \u201951. However, success quickly dried up, with the team failing to win anything of note for another decade.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Billy Reay: 1957 \u2013 1958&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Howie Meeker: 1956 \u2013 1957&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>King Clancy: 1953 \u2013 1956&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Joe Primeau: 1950 \u2013 1953&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1930s and 1940s&nbsp;<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>While the early 30s might\u2019ve seen three Toronto Maple Leafs coaches between 1930 &#8211; 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).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Hap Day: 1940 \u2013 1950&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Dick Irvin: 1931 \u2013 1940&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Conn Smythe: 1931&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Art Duncan: 1930 \u2013 1931&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Conn Smythe: 1927 \u2013 1930&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1920s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Alex Romeril: 1927&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Mike Rodden: 1927&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Charles Querrie: 1926 \u2013 1927&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Eddie Powers: 1924 \u2013 1926&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Charlies Querrie: 1923 \u2013 1924&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>George O\u2019Donoghue: 1921 \u2013 1922&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Frank Carroll: 1920 \u2013 1921&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Harvey Sproule: 1920&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Frank Heffernan: 1919 \u2013 1920&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h3>1910s<\/h3>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>The very first Toronto head coach: Dick Carroll ran the team during its early years, steering them to Stanley Cup success in 1918.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Dick Carroll: 1917 &#8211; 1919&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h2>Who is the longest serving Toronto Maple Leafs head coach?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>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 \u201958 and \u201969. During his tenure, he helped the Leafs to four Stanley Cups, including a threepeat between 1962, 1963, 1964. In fact, he\u2019s the last Toronto Maple Leafs coach to lift the Stanley Cup, with his final victory coming in 1967.&nbsp;<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h2>Who is the current Toronto Maple Leafs coach?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>The current Toronto Maple Leafs head coach is Craig Berube, who took over in May 2024, replacing Sheldon Keefe \u2013 incidentally, he previously played for the Leafs in 1991 \u2013 1992. During the 2024\/25 regular season, as coach, he achieved a record of 52 wins and 26 losses from 82 games.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<h2>Who is the most successful Toronto Maple Leafs coach?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"<p>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 \u2013 including three in a row between 1947 \u2013 1949. Punch Imlach is another hero, with his four Stanley Cups ensuring his place in Maple Leafs folklore.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019ll find all the latest <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/betway.com\/en\/sports\/grp\/ice-hockey\/north-america\/nhl\">NHL betting odds<\/a> from Betway \u2013 where you\u2019ll also find all the latest <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/betway.com\/en\/sports\/evt\/15463540\">Stanley Cup odds<\/a>. Alternatively, stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.betway.sports&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;gl=GB\">Play Store<\/a> or the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/gb\/app\/betway-sports-betting-live\/id538775096\">App Store<\/a> to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.<\/p>\n"}],"main_image":116358,"main_image_description":"Source: Alamy Stock Photo"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116293"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116294,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116293\/revisions\/116294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}