on april 21, 2003, the stampede announced the hiring of former san jose sharks assistant coach mark kaufman as head coach for the 2003–04 season with the intent of making a more disciplined defensive team. however, the team suffered its worst season record to date, going 15–42–3. the following 2004–05 season allowed a franchise-high 252 goals over 60 games and the team failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season. the stampede fired kaufman on april 6, 2005, after posting a 42–70–8 record over two seasons.