The Colorado Eagles believed they had secured their new head coach roughly twelve months ago. The organization hired former NHLer Mark Letestu on July 5, 2025, to replace Aaron Schneekloth. Late on Tuesday night, the Vegas Golden Knights announced Letestu as their new assistant coach. The Eagles have lost three consecutive head coaches to NHL coaching jobs, including Greg Cronin’s departure for the Anaheim Ducks in 2023.

Letestu brought a winning culture

Letestu was not coming into the Eagles with no experience. He had been the assistant coach for the Cleveland Monsters (CBJ) for four seasons. He gained valuable experience, which he brought to Colorado, by winning the North Division and going to the Eastern Conference Finals. They would fall to the Hershey Bears (WSH), but he learned from getting there.

Letestu continues winning in Colorado

The former NHLer continued his winning ways once he got to Loveland. He guided the Eagles to three consecutive wins during his initial three games controlling the team. Colorado saw its second-best regular season since being promoted to the AHL in 2018. The Eagles ended the regular season with a 41–20–6–5 record, finishing second in the Pacific Division. It was the Calder Cup Playoffs where Letestu really took charge. He led the Eagles all the way to their first AHL Western Conference Final, losing in seven games. Colorado ended the playoffs with an 11–6 record, with every player truly bought in.

The search will now continue again for another head coach. Turnover in the AHL can be pretty high when a team is successful. Schneekloth saw the result with this, taking the Eagles to their first Division Final. He left the organization for an assistant coaching position with the Seattle Kraken. So it is not much of a surprise that Letestu was highly sought after. The organization will have some big shoes to fill, but if they do it correctly, they can get another winner.