LA Kings Fire Head Coach, Promote D.J. Smith as Interim

The Los Angeles Kings have parted ways with head coach Jim Hiller after two seasons, naming associate coach D.J. Smith as interim replacement.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Los Angeles Kings have fired head coach Jim Hiller after two seasons, with the team confirming the decision on Sunday. The Kings have named associate coach D.J. Smith as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Why it matters

The Kings have struggled this season, dropping five of their last six games, including an 8-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers that prompted calls from the home crowd to fire Hiller. This change in leadership comes as the Kings aim to salvage their playoff hopes with veteran captain Anze Kopitar potentially in his final NHL season.

The details

General manager Ken Holland said the decision to part ways with Hiller was made to give the team the 'best opportunity to reach its potential and compete at the level we expect.' Hiller, 56, took over as head coach in February 2024 after the firing of Todd McLellan and compiled a 93-58-24 record, leading the Kings to two playoff appearances but failing to win a postseason series. Smith, 48, previously served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2019 until his dismissal early in the 2023-24 season.

  • The Kings fired head coach Jim Hiller on Sunday, March 2, 2026.
  • D.J. Smith was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Jim Hiller

The former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, who was fired after two seasons with the team.

D.J. Smith

The associate coach of the Los Angeles Kings, who was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Ken Holland

The general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, who made the decision to fire Jim Hiller and promote D.J. Smith as the interim head coach.

Anze Kopitar

The veteran captain of the Los Angeles Kings, who is expected to be in his final NHL season.

Todd McLellan

The former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, who was fired in February 2024.

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What they’re saying

“I want to thank Jim Hiller for his dedication, professionalism, and the commitment he showed to our players and our team every day. He is a respected coach and person, and we appreciate the work he's done behind our bench.”

— Ken Holland, General Manager, Los Angeles Kings (dailyfly.com)

“At this point in the season, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to give our group the best opportunity to reach its potential and compete at the level we expect. These decisions are never made lightly, but our responsibility is to position this team for success now and moving forward.”

— Ken Holland, General Manager, Los Angeles Kings (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The Kings will look to turn their season around under interim head coach D.J. Smith, with the team aiming to secure a playoff spot and make a deep postseason run in what could be veteran captain Anze Kopitar's final NHL season.

The takeaway

The Kings' decision to fire head coach Jim Hiller and promote D.J. Smith as the interim replacement highlights the team's urgency to turn around their season and make a playoff push, with the future of the franchise and veteran leadership in mind.