Scott Gordon was named the Islanders head coach on August 12, 2008 – the 14th in franchise history. He is the reigning recipient of the 2008 Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award, presented to American Hockey League’s Coach of the Year. In 2007-08, he led the Providence Bruins to an AHL-best record of 55-18-3.

With Providence last season, the 45-year old Gordon led the team to a second-best AHL ranking in goals scored and seventh in fewest goals against. After spending two full seasons as an assistant coach for Providence (2000-01 – 2001-02), Gordon was promoted to head coach in his third season for the final nine games of the 2002-03 regular season and playoffs. Gordon then spent the next five seasons as the head coach of Providence, leading the team to a record of 221-141-20-27(W-L-T-OT/SOL).
 
Gordon began his coaching career with the International Hockey League's Atlanta Knights from 1994-96 and then spent two seasons with the IHL's Quebec Rafales from 1996-98. When Gordon was named the Head Coach of the Knights on January 5, 1996, he became the youngest Head Coach in the league's 53-year history at 32 years of age.

Gordon’s next move came in 1998-99, when he was named the Head Coach of the Roanoke Express of the East Coast Hockey League. He led the club to consecutive first-place finishes in the Northeast Division while compiling an 82-42-16 overall regular season record. The 1999-2000 Express set franchise records for wins with 44, points with 94 and fewest goals against with 181.
 
An Easton, Massachusetts native, Gordon began his hockey career as a goaltender. He attended Boston College from 1982-86, posting a 64-35-3 record over that span. He backstopped Boston College to an NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 1985 and was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star in 1986. He helped Boston College finish in first place in the ECAC East Region in 1983-84 before leading them to first place finishes in Hockey East in 1984-85 and 1985-86.
 
Following the completion of his collegiate career, Gordon began his professional playing career in 1986-87 when he signed with the Quebec Nordiques. Gordon made his NHL debut in 1989-90 with Quebec and played a total of 23 career NHL games, all with the Nordiques. He also holds the distinction of being the first ECHL graduate to play in the NHL. Gordon played on the 1992 United States Olympic team before retiring as a player following the 1993-94 season.

Gordon resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia in the off-season. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Erik and Ryan.