Peter Guarasci will not be returning as the Fraser Valley Bandits head coach and general manager.
The club announced the news today (Thursday), stating that his contract expired at the conclusion of the 2019 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.
RELATED: Fraser Valley Bandits hire head coach, general manager
The Kelowna resident and former Team Canada basketball player signed on with the club back in January, but the results on the court weren’t outstanding.
The Bandits opened the season with nine straight losses, and finished in the basement of the CEBL with a 4-16 record.
“Our inaugural season fell well short of the expectations that Peter and all of us had for our team. It was difficult on Peter both professionally and personally, and it became apparent that it was in everyone’s best interest to move in different directions for 2020,” said Bandits Vice President Dylan Kular in a press release. “I thank Peter for his commitment and contributions to getting the Fraser Valley Bandits up and running this past year. While our performance on the court was highly disappointing, we were well-received across the region and with our fans. We appreciate Peter’s role in helping establish a strong foundation for our organization.”
Bandits management stated that assistant coaches Virgil Hill and Kyle Graves have also not yet been retained. Their status will be up to the new head coach and general manager. Guarasci stated that he enjoyed the challenge with the Bandits, but that he is ready to move on.
RELATED: Fraser Valley Bandits hire pair of assistant coaches
“I am proud to have served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Fraser Valley Bandits during their inaugural season,” said Guarasci. “We had some highly challenging times and the results obviously were not what we expected. As a resident of Kelowna, it was personally challenging for my family to have me in Abbotsford for four months. While I greatly appreciate the outstanding support of our fans, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with others in the Fraser Valley and across the CEBL, it is best for both myself and the Bandits to move forward in different directions. I look forward to rooting for their future success.”
The search for a replacement is underway, with Bandits management sharing that the new hire will take both the head coach and general manager title when he or she is hired.
