After two straight post-season exits at the hands of the Medicine Hat Mavericks, including this year's surprising first round exit, the Okotoks Dawgs have decided not to bring back Manager Brett Thomas in 2016.

Thomas guided the team to a 53-41 record over two regular seasons, but a 7-8 record in the playoffs and a 1-2 series record.

A former catcher with the Okotoks Dawgs, Thomas was a part of the championship team that three-peated as the WMBL's champs from 2007-2009.

He was brought on as Manager prior to the 2014 season, with obvious high expectations.

Dawgs Managing Director John Ircandia says the decision was nothing personal, but at the end of the day winning is the Dawgs' number one priority.

"We all like Brett," he says. "He came through our organization, he's been a winner his whole life, very hard working young guy. So, we knew the upside. He was very diligent in his recruiting, I mean he did recruit five first team all-stars, so we felt we had a lot of talent on the field, it's just the bottom line is we feel we need to get better results. We looked at the situation and try to see where the problems were, and we just felt it was time to make a change after two years, and see if we can advance further in the playoffs."

Ircandia says the team has also made a decision on the futures of Assistant (and former Dawgs Head Coach) Dave Robb, and Pitching Coach Austin Brough.

"I have asked Dave to come back, and he agreed," he says. "As for the Pitching Coach, I think I have to allow whoever becomes our Head Coach to bring in his own guy at that position."

Ircandia says at 60 years old, Robb still has a lot to offer as a mentor, and can be a valuable resource for the Dawgs' next Manager.

Although the Dawgs have plenty of skilled coaches in their J-Dawgs Academy, Ircandia says they'll be looking outside of the organization to fill the position.

"We're talking to some coaches at some of the top baseball universities in the United States," he says. "I'm hopeful to make an announcement as to a new Head Coach in the next two-to-three weeks."

Thomas guided the team to a 53-41 record over two regular seasons, but a 7-8 record in the playoffs and a 1-2 series record.

During the school year, Thomas serves as an Assistant Coach with the College of San Mateo in California, and also is the Founder and CEO of the Catching Academy.