Coyotes sign coach Tippett to long-term contract

Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney announced Friday that the team has agreed to a contract extension with coach Dave Tippett. Per club policy, terms were not disclosed.

"We are very pleased to agree to terms with Dave to a long-term contract extension," Maloney said. "Elite coaching is required to win on a consistent basis and Dave is one of the best at his job in today's game. His work ethic, attention to detail, communicative skills and patience make him an ideal fit with our group as we work to build a franchise capable of winning the Stanley Cup."

Various reports say the deal is for five years. Tippett's contract was set to expire July 1 and he would have been eligible to negotiate with other teams.

"I am thrilled to stay with the Coyotes," Tippett said. "Don has done a very good job of assembling a great staff and group of players here and I like the direction we are headed. We've started to build a strong foundation and we are both looking forward to continuing to build a winning team here in the Valley and taking the next step as a first-class organization."

Tippett, 51, took over as coach of the Coyotes in 2009, succeeding Wayne Gretzky. Tippett had immediate success, guiding the team to a 50-25-7 record and its first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance since the 2001-02 season.

In 2011-12, the Coyotes won the Pacific Division for the first time, won their first playoff series, and made their first trip to the Western Conference Final, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings, who went on to win the Stanley Cup

In his four-year run with Phoenix, Tippett has a record of 156-96-42 and has qualified for the playoffs three times. His .602 win percentage is the best in team history.

In 10 seasons, Tippett has a record of 427-252-107. He has the second-most wins by an NHL coach during that span, trailing the 445 of Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings. Tippett has made the playoffs in eight of the past 10 years and has topped 100 points four times.

Tippett spent six seasons as coach of the Dallas Stars from 2002-03 to 2008-09 before joining the Coyotes.