Bob Hartley has coached in three different leagues with five different teams and proves a constant success wherever he goes. His coaching career began in 1987 when he became head coach for his hometown team in Hawkesbury Ontario. Hartley has coached junior league, minor league, and the NHL. His experience and accomplishments are outnumbered only by the number of wins Hartley has seen in his career.

• During his stint with Laval, Hartley led the team to the Quebec Major Junior League Championship (1991), and the Memorial Cup (1993).
• In 1993, Hartley began coaching in the AHL with the Cornwall Aces and led the team to the Southern Division Title (1995), and into the Calder Cup Playoffs (1996).
• In 1996, Hartley joined the Hershey Bears organization and helped them to win the Calder Cup Championship in 1997.
• Hartley's debut into the NHL came with the Colorado Avalanche, where he spent five seasons leading them to their fifth and sixth division titles.
• Hartley ended his stay in Colorado as the franchise's all-time coaching victory leader with 193 games, leading the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup Championship in 2001 and 2002, becoming one of only four head coaches to lead teams to the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup Championships.
• In 2003, after joining the coaching staff of the Altanta Thrashers, Hartley recorded the best record in franchise history, and in 2004 was named Coach of the Year.