Concrete, Cushions, and Coach Gulutzan:
- Ivan Dawkins
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
A Surprisingly Stirring Day at the AAC...
July 2, 2025 - Ivan Dawkins, BS3 Network COO/Staff Writer
The American Airlines Center sat unusually silent this morning. I didn't have to bob and weave through the Stars faithful like O.J. Simpson in a 1978 Hertz commercial like I do on game day. I didn't have to resist the savory smell of hot dogs and popcorn. I didn't have to endure the sweet scent of pecans and cashews being caramelized to delectable perfection. There were no blaring horns, no thunderous ovations, no aroma of nachos wafting through the concourse, and sadly, no “Big X Tha Plug" song "Texas” echoing off the rafters. The only thing on ice today was the bottled water, and even that was questionable. What remained? Concrete floors, seat cushions that haven’t hosted a hockey backside in weeks, and a skeleton crew that looked just as surprised to be there as I was. In other words, the perfect setting for me to be underwhelmed. I walked in with low expectations. Chalk it up to offseason skepticism or the emotional hangover that comes after a playoff run that didn’t end with a parade. Better yet, maybe it was due to my on the record bitterness that my dude Pete DeBoer is no longer the General of this group. But something unexpected happened to me today. And that something....was Coach Glen Gulutzan.
The Dallas Stars officially introduced Gulutzan as their new head coach, and while the scene lacked spectacle, it didn’t lack substance. I had the chance to visit off-camera, away from the mics and media posturing, with both Coach Gulutzan and General Manager Jim Nill. And after a few minutes of honest conversation, it was clear: I get it. I get why Nill made this hire.
When I asked coach Gulutzan about why he thought Jim Nill was as right to hire him yesterday as he was to fire him 12 years ago, he simply stated, the scars, the relationships he's built, the three hall of fame coaches he's worked under, the roughly 100 playoff games he's coached in, he's been there, he's checked the boxes and the fact that he's evolved as a coach. He admitted to not making many adjustments if any his first time around in Dallas. He knew one way to play. Now. He's ready.
Gulutzan has presence. Not the kind that commands a room with bravado or clichés, but the kind that grounds it with humility and clarity. He spoke quietly but confidently. He spoke about the vision of increased physicality for his squad. He talked about sustaining an identity for 82 games and not trying to turn it up once the playoffs begin. No buzzwords, no coaching platitudes. Just a man talking about what he values. And when he said, “I try to always be where my boots are,” I stopped taking notes and just listened. That line hit me harder than I expected, and resonated deeply.
“Be where your boots are.” Simple. Grounded. Intentional. That’s how he lives and, apparently, how he plans to lead. We got into a brief conversation in front of a small group of journalists, nothing flashy, no lights, just us talking. When he spoke about the importance of being present in every moment, about valuing every interaction no matter how small, he got emotional. Not the “I practiced this” kind of emotional. The real kind. The kind that reveals a little of a man’s soul. And let me tell you, that soul seems like it’s in the right place.
I don’t know what this means for the standings, the power play, or the penalty kill. I don’t know if this will end in a playoff exit or a banner in the rafters. But what I do know? I walked in prepared to shrug and move on. I walked out thoroughly impressed, and strangely hopeful. There was no ice underfoot. But I left feeling like something solid had just been laid down. I’m officially in on Glen Gulutzan.
Ivan Dawkins is a journalist for bs3network.com - because someone has to make sense of this madness. Follow him on X at @ikingdawk before he tweets something he can't take back.
For more sports and entertainment coverage than your group chat can handle, go to:
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ikingdawk
Comments