For the second time this season, John Gruden has been fired as coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Flint Firebirds.
This time around, the dismissal has gotten the attention of OHL executives, who on Wednesday expressed "great concern" over the move.
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Gruden, not to be confused with the affable ESPN broadcaster who shares a surname, was first fired in November following a reported falling out with Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen. Upon hearing the news, the team's 24 players — including the owner's son — staged a protest and quit the team until Gruden was reinstated as coach.