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How Ben Simon became Griffins coach and what worried organization most

Ben Simon named head coach of Grand Rapids Griffins

GRAND RAPIDS - Detroit Red Wings executives never interviewed anyone other than Ben Simon to be the next coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

A combination of what the Griffins assistant coach had done previously, what he presented in an interview nearly two weeks ago and a growing concern they could lose him elsewhere were enough to convince general manager Ken Holland and Ryan Martin, the assistant GM who oversees the Griffins, to name him the 11th coach of the AHL affiliate.

All that was fine by Simon.