It’s curious news from the Netherlands shortly before the start of the 2016 Holland Series between Curacao Neptunus and L&D Amsterdam. On Monday Curacao Neptunus announced that Evert Jan’t Hoen will be let go at the end of the 2016 season. With the club from Rotterdam he collected 135 wins in 167 regular season games in the Dutch Hoofdklasse since 2013 and won championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Also for the 2016 Holland Series Curacao Neptunus is considered to be the favorite. In 2013 he was named EBCA Coach of the Year, in 2016 CEB Coach of the Year. Even though he has won at will during his four years, management hasn’t been satisfied with his work.
To make matters even more strange further press releases got published on Tuesday. Apparently Ronald Jaarsma from Holland Series opponent L&D Amsterdam got approached by Curacao Neptunus to be Hoen’s successor or at least to be on the 2017 coaching staff. After L&D Amsterdam heard of these talks they announced in a separate press release that they have relieved Jaarsma of his duties as assistant coach of the Pirates. He had been coaching for the Pirates since the 2013 season. Jaarsma also was supposed to be the head coach of Euro League Baseball’s Amsterdam team before this plan was abandoned.