Controversial former NHLer and Panarin accuser Andrei Nazarov lands head coaching position

After three years of not doing much other than commenting in Russian media and falsely accusing Artemi Panarin of assaulting a young woman in 2011, the always controversial Andrei Nazarov is headed back behind a bench in a head coaching role. The former NHL agitator has been hired by the KHL's HC Sochi, who fired its former head coach after starting the season 3-10.

Nazarov has coached in the KHL before and has a lengthy resume as a bench boss in Russia. He also managed Barys Astana and was a co-head coach of the Russian National Team. He served one season as head coach of HC Donbass of the Ukrainian Hockey League, the same team Jalen Smereck left this week after a racist gesture was directed at him by Andrei Deniskin.

Panarin ended up taking a leave of absence from the New York Rangers last season after Nazarov accused him of assaulting an 18-year-old woman at a bar in Belarus 10 years ago. Nazarov had been an outspoken critic of Panarin before making the accusation as he is a vocal supporter of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Panarin had made several statements against Putin on his social media accounts. Not only did no one come forward to corroborate Nazarov's story, several former teammates of Panarin, including one who was there in 2011, said it didn't happen.

Nazarov has been nicknamed the "Russian Keenan" for his coaching style, which many compare to former NHL coach Mike Keenan. Both are known for an inability to maintain working relationships with players.

"Coaches must train, not prove their loyalty to authority every day," said Sport24.ru in an article announcing Nazarov's new position. He takes over from Yevgeny Stavrovsky.

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