Blue Jackets fire Coach Scott Arniel COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Columbus Blue Jackets Coach Scott Arniel has been fired, General Manager Scott Howson said Monday. Arniel was axed after going 45-60-18 in 123 games behind the bench for the Blue Jackets. Assistant coach Todd Richards will take over on an interim basis for the remainder of the season, Howson said. Arniel looked like he had the Jackets headed in the right direction last season after guiding them to a 34-35-13 mark. But they began this season with eight straight losses en route to an NHL-worst record of 11-25-5. Columbus was pounded 7-4 at Anaheim Sunday night. "[Arniel] did everything he could," Howson said. He's a good coach, a good person. He worked very hard at it. The team was prepared and it just didn't work for him with this group. Richards served as head coach for the Minnesota Wild from 2009-11 before he was fired. He joined the Blue Jackets staff in June.