For the second time this season, the OHL's Flint Firebirds have fired head coach John Gruden and assistant Dave Karpa.

Owner Rolf Nilson fired all of Flint's coaching staff in November shortly after a 4-3 shootout win over the Oshawa Generals. However, the coaches were hired back – and given new three-year contracts – one day later after a player protest which included Nilson's son, Hakon.

The Firebirds sat second to last in the OHL's Western Conference with a 7-9-1 record in November when Gruden was fired for the first time. The team still owns the same spot in the standings, now with a 16-31-6 record. The Firebirds lost 5-2 to the London Knights on Monday.

TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli notes the players are currently holding a captain's practice.

After November's player protest, Nilsen released a statement in which he said he made an "irresponsible mistake," and added that the team was co-operating with the OHL's investigation into the matter.