The Okotoks Oilers for the first time in six seasons will be looking for a new man behind the bench.

The team announced the resignation of Head Coach & General Manager James Poole Thursday morning.

Oilers Director of Business & Hockey Operations Brad Robson says with the team's recent financial struggles some decisions had to be made going forward in restructuring how the club was going to operate and it lead to some long discussions with Poole.

"With my proposals on how we were going to move ahead with both the hockey and business side that I gave to James he decided to make a decision that he was going to go in a different direction and resigned," he says. "We want to wish James all the best in the future and thank him for his time with the Oilers over the past six seasons."

As for the rest of the coaching staff that includes Associate Coach & Assistant GM Bobby Fox, Assistants Derek Stuart & Jason Hanna along with Goalie coach Todd Ford they're future is up in the air but could be back with the Oilers according to Robson.

"Whoever we hire as Head Coach he'll have input into the assistant coach and with the other position within the organization on the business and hockey side those people will all have input and the Head Coach will have a strong say in who the assistant or assistant(s) coaches will be for our hockey club."

Robson says the search for a new coach is now underway.

"Do we have anybody in mind? There will be people that we will be going out to speak to, to see if they have in the positions we have available. It's very early it's only been a couple of hours so there will be busy times ahead? Yes, that process starts this afternoon."

Robson will be meeting with current players on their roster tonight and over the next couple of days to discuss the recent news

Poole leaves the organization as the team's leader in all-time wins after taking over the team after Garry Vanhereweghe abruptly stepped down early in the 2010-2011 season with a record of 218-109-26, nominated for AJHL Coach of Year three out of six seasons, one AJHL South Division Regular Season banner and two trips to the South Finals.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com