from 2001 to 2004, the columbus cottonmouths organization played in the echl, bringing with them their longtime captain jerome "boom-boom" bechard and head coach bruce garber. in the three seasons that columbus spent in the echl, they failed to make the playoffs. midway through their second season in the echl, garber, the only coach in team history, resigned. general manager phil roberto took over for the remainder of the season. their best season in the echl was their last. prior to the 2003–04 season the team announced the signing of their new coach, former nhl enforcer brian curran. they finished with a 37–27–8 record, tied with the greensboro generals for the best record by a non-playoff team that season.