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BCCN - Renney
B.C. Christian News, December 1997
Faith keeps Renney fired . . . up
By Anne Eapen
It looks like Tom Renney has landed on his feet. Just over a week after he was fired as coach of the Vancouver Canucks, Renney was asked to share his expertise from Nagano, Japan next February, as TSN's commen-tator/analyst for its winter Olympics hockey coverage.
Tom Renney |
It's the kind of news most people would wish for the Cranbrook-born native -- "decent" and "classy" are just a couple of words often used to describe Renney. Before his 101 game tenure with the Canucks, he led Canada's national team to four championships and was the winningest coach ever of the Kamloops Blazers.
Those accolades appear to be a distant memory, yet 24 hours after he was let go by the Canucks, Renney was talking about what keeps him going.
"My Christian faith and belief are well grounded," he asserts, "and therefore I am able to deal with this situation. I've certainly been humbled by the experience. But I also believe God gives these chances to those who can handle it."
He won't be drawn into a discussion about team players or management. "I must be careful because other people are affected by what you say . . . and you are judged as much by what you say than what you don't," he cautions. In assessing his performance, Renney states unabashedly, "I feel I am a good man . . . And as required by my occupation, I have been demanding, tough and fair."
He says that he isn't bitter or angry, but admits to feeling disappointment. "I am disappointed that I cost [general manager] Pat Quinn his job, I am disappointed that the team has not performed well, and mostly I am disappointed for my family."
Renney, who lives with his wife and two daughters in North Vancouver, and attends a Catholic church, was concerned about their reaction to his termination.
"I've had to make sure that they realize daddy is still alright, that this is not life-threatening."
And what was in the immediate future for him? "I'm on my way to watch my 12-year-old daughter in a school volleyball tournament," Renney confides, "and that's far more important than anything else right now."
Who says good guys never finish first?
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