Recently dismissed Capitals head coach Todd Reirden has landed on his feet in a familiar spot. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Recently fired Capitals coach Todd Reirden returns to Penguins as assistant

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/2/20

Just one week after being fired as head coach of the Washington Capitals, Todd Reirden is returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins announced Wednesday that they've hired Reirden as an assistant coach. He'll be responsible for the defensive unit and power-play corps.

The Penguins have named Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci assistant coaches.

Reirden, 49, will oversee the team’s defensive group and power-play unit. Vellucci, 54, will work with the team’s forwards and oversee the penalty kill.

Details: https://t.co/lVrrfNDcQF pic.twitter.com/gaf0zc5DYv
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 2, 2020

This becomes Reirden's second stint in Pittsburgh. The 49-year-old served as an assistant under Dan Byslma from 2010-14 before leaving to join the Capitals. Reirden worked four seasons under Barry Trotz before taking over as head coach in the summer of 2018.

During his time as head coach of the Capitals, Reirden went 89-46-16 in two seasons and was let go last month after failing to lead the club past the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season.

The Penguins also hired Mike Vellucci as an assistant. He'll work with the club's forwards and oversee the penalty kill.

Pittsburgh's hires come after the club lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. They fired assistants Mark Recchi, Sergei Gonchar and Jacques Martin as part of a coaching overhaul.

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