Vancouver Ravens head coach Paul Dal Monte resigned today, ending a three-year stint in which he led the Ravens to two playoff berths.

The resignation opens the door for Colorado Mammoth assistant coach Walt Christianson, who, as first reported by the Outsider's Guide last night, has agreed to coach the Ravens.

Christianson, who resigned today as a Colorado Mammoth assistant coach, is expected to be formally introduced as the Ravens' head coach at a press conference on Wednesday.

Dal Monte posted a 24-26 record as the Ravens' first coach, leading the team to remarkable second-half rallies in 2002 and 2003. Both seasons, Vancouver was 3-6 after nine games, but finished 10-6 and 9-7, respectively.

However, Vancouver never recovered from its slow start in 2004, finishing fifth in the six-team Western Division with a 5-11 record.

Speculation grew during the season that Dal Monte, who was hired because of his success with the Burnaby Lakers' Junior A team, had lost his players and wouldn't be back in 2005.

Whether that's true or not, Dal Monte's departure is apparently on good terms.

"Paul Dal Monte has been an instrumental force in shaping this franchise from the ground floor up and his contributions have been significant, both on and off the floor," Ravens managing partner Tom Mayenknecht said.

"He is responsible for having built the infrastructure of players we have going into our fourth year. We know we have some work to do to compete to win an NLL championship, but thanks to Paul, we believe we’re not too far away. We’re certainly better than the disappointing record we had last season."

Dal Monte will now focus on his full-time job as marketing director for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, but remains with the Ravens as a consultant.

As for Christianson, Vancouver would be his first NLL head coaching gig, following stops as an assistant coach with Colorado this year and the Calgary Roughnecks the two prior seasons.

In the summer leagues, though, Christianson is a veteran skipper, winning the Mann Cup last summer as head coach of the Victoria Shamrocks (WLA) and boasting three WLA Coach of the Year awards.

"All of us with the Colorado Mammoth family are deeply grateful to Walt for his support and assistance over the past season," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said.