On Jan. 2, Andy Murray was fired from his position as head coach of the St. Louis Blues. Many fans have been asking for after what was promised to be a banner year for the Blues.

Murray became the head coach of the Blues in December of 2006, replacing former coach Mike Kitchen. Murray rallied the Blues in his first year; the team went 27-18 with Murray as interim coach after starting out 7-17.

Disappointment followed Murray’s initial success, as the Blues have only made the playoffs once since his arrival. Last year, the Blues had one of the worst records in the NHL at the All-Star break. After their dismal start, however, the Blues posted the best second-half record in hockey and made the playoffs.

The parade would not last long though, as Vancouver easily swept the Blues out of the playoffs. Murray took much of the heat, and many believe it was his coaching that cost the Blues their playoff run.

“I believe Murray is to blame for the Blues recent shortcomings,” sophomore Thalia Sass said. “If you look at the talent we have had, we should have been deep in the playoffs more than once. This year is no different. They have all the talent in the world, and yet again they are nowhere near where they need to be to make the playoffs.”

One of very few upsides to this season was announced on new years day, as forward David Backes and defenseman Erik Johnson were named to team USA’s Olympic roster.

This, to some, proves that Murray has been unable to utilize the team’s talent.

“While it’s really cool that two players from the Blues made the team, I’d personally like to see those guys holding up the Stanley Cup a whole lot more,” junior Shane Sepac said. “I think the chances of that happening definitely went up when Murray left St. Louis.”

Not all fans are celebrating Murrays firing.

“Everybody needs to calm down and back off of Murray,” sophomore Katherine Kirchoff said. “The Blues are 10 times better since he became coach, and it’s really a shame that it had to end like this.”

The Blues announced that David Payne will be the interim head coach. Payne was brought up from the Blues AHL affiliate, the Peoria Riverman, and will serve as head coach for the remainder of this season.

“Whoever [the Blues] pulled up from Peoria is a good temporary solution, but not a long term one,” sophomore hockey player Gabe Jacus said.

The Blues are currently 21-20-7, and have gone 4-3 under Payne.