DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche hired Joe Sacco of the AHL as their coach Thursday, a day after firing Tony Granato and shaking up their front office.

Sacco inherits a team coming off its worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995. He was promoted from the Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate, where he coached the Lake Erie Monsters the past two seasons.

Sacco was to be introduced at news conference by newly appointed general manager Greg Sherman and assistant GM Craig Billington.

The Avalanche made sweeping changes Wednesday, firing Granato and five others. The team also announced a new management structure, promoting Sherman to general manager.