Los Angeles Kings Fire Coach Jim Hiller, Name DJ Smith as Interim

Kings make coaching change in effort to salvage playoff hopes in Anze Kopitar's final season.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Los Angeles Kings have fired head coach Jim Hiller, the team announced on Sunday, March 1. In an effort to salvage their playoff hopes in Anze Kopitar's final season, the Kings will look to DJ Smith as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Why it matters

The Kings have struggled this season and currently sit three points out of a playoff spot. The decision to fire Hiller comes after a recent stretch of poor play, including an 8-1 loss at home to the Edmonton Oilers that led to fans chanting "Fire Hiller." The team is hoping a coaching change can help them turn things around and reach the postseason.

The details

Kings general manager Ken Holland announced that Hiller has been relieved of his duties, with associate coach DJ Smith named as the interim head coach. Smith previously served as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2019-2023 and was an assistant coach alongside Hiller in Toronto from 2015-2019. Kings player development coach Matt Greene will serve as an assistant coach under Smith.

  • The Kings fired Hiller on March 1, 2026.
  • Hiller took over as the Kings' head coach in February 2024 as an interim and was named the permanent head coach that May.
  • In his first full season, Hiller coached the Kings to 48 wins and 105 points, a franchise best.

The players

Jim Hiller

The former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who was relieved of his duties on March 1, 2026.

DJ Smith

The interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, who previously served as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2019-2023 and was an assistant coach alongside Hiller in Toronto from 2015-2019.

Ken Holland

The general manager of the Los Angeles Kings who announced the decision to fire Hiller and name Smith as the interim head coach.

Anze Kopitar

The veteran Los Angeles Kings player whose final season with the team is a factor in the coaching change.

Matt Greene

The Kings' player development coach who will serve as an assistant coach under Smith.

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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 (usatoday.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 (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The Kings will look to DJ Smith to lead the team for the remainder of the season as they try to secure a playoff spot in Anze Kopitar's final year.

The takeaway

The Kings' decision to fire head coach Jim Hiller and bring in DJ Smith as the interim head coach reflects the team's urgency to turn things around and make the playoffs in Anze Kopitar's final season. The move comes after a recent stretch of poor play that has the Kings on the outside of the playoff picture, and the team is hoping a coaching change can provide a much-needed spark.