Not going anywhere: Lightning sign head coach Jon Cooper to 3-year extension

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning made the announcement on Twitter: "Three more years of Cooooop!"

Head Coach Jon Cooper will stay put in Tampa Bay through the 2024-25 season after signing a three-year extension with the organization.

Leading the back-to-back Stanley Cup champs into their next season, Cooper has become the NHL's longest-tenured bench boss with a 383-197-53 record, the team said in a statement.

"It has been a tremendous honor to be the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past eight-plus seasons and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to build on what we have here," Cooper wrote in a statement. "My family and I love the organization and being a part of the Tampa Bay community, it is our home.  

"I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to Mr. Vinik, Julien, Steve Griggs, the rest of the coaching staff and all the players for making this one of the best jobs in the NHL."

Lightning Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois, who recently agreed to his own extension, in a statement called Cooper "the best person for the job."

"He is a great leader, spokesperson and ambassador for our organization. We are lucky to have him as our head coach and I very much look forward to our continued partnership," he added.

Cooper, the Lightning's ninth head coach, joined the team on March 25, 2013.