The Pirates are "expected to hire" Islanders President of Business Operations Travis Williams as their new President, replacing Frank Coonelly, according to sources cited by Jason Mackey of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Before joining the Islanders last fall, Williams "spent 11 years with the Penguins," eight of them as the team's COO. While Coonelly "did have a positive impact during his 12 years with the Pirates," there are "myriad reasons why the soon-to-be-announced Williams move could be exactly" what the team needs. Williams has "tasted success," and he has plenty of "behind-the-scenes experience that should benefit" the Pirates. By hiring Williams, who is a lawyer by trade, the Pirates will "get a unique set of eyes" from an "experienced leader" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/24).
NEW FIRST-MATE: In Pittsburgh, Kevin Gorman noted Williams "oversaw the development" of PPG Paints Arena and UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex training facility, and "helped broker the television deal" between the Penguins and AT&T SportsNet. He also "served as the team's liaison to building manager AEG Facilities on bringing concerts and major sporting events to the arena." The fact that Williams already has a "working relationship with both city and county officials and corporate partners should allow him to hit the ground running with the Pirates" (TRIBLIVE.com, 10/23).
CHANGES ARE COMING: In Pittsburgh, Dejan Kovacevic wrote there is a "mountain of work still ahead" for Williams and Pirates Owner Bob Nutting. Williams comes with an "infinitely more relatable personality than the lawyer-to-the-bone Coonelly, and he'll come from an organization that only understands winning as a priority." The transition "won't be seamless," as Williams' background is "all NHL." He will have "so, so much to learn" (DKPITTSBURGHSPORTS.com, 10/23). Kovacevic in a separate piece notes Pirates Exec VP & GM Neal Huntington's job is "anything but safe," and his status is "tenuous at best." Huntington's "fate will be decided" by Williams, who "unequivocally will have the right to choose his GM." For now, there is "no timetable for a decision in one direction or another." A source said that former co-Owner Ogden Nutting is "livid with the state of the franchise." However, Williams is a "very real, very relatable guy who brings a tireless work ethic, a genuine passion for all things Pittsburgh." Kovacevic: "He's a real W for the Pirates" (DKPITTSBURGHSPORTS.com, 10/24).
