Todd Nelson believes he's out of running for Coyotes' head coaching job

Todd Nelson likely won't be the next head coach of the Arizona Coyotes, but he might just know who will be.

The former Edmonton Oilers bench boss and current head coach of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins told reporters Friday that he interviewed with the Coyotes last week but believes they're going with someone else who has ties to Arizona, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.

The Coyotes reportedly got permission from the Detroit Red Wings (the Griffins' parent club) to interview Nelson last week.

Nelson, who led Grand Rapids to the 2016-17 Calder Cup championship, last worked in the NHL as the Oilers' interim head coach following the firing of Dallas Eakins in 2014-15.

Arizona and longtime head coach Dave Tippett agreed to part ways in late June, citing philosophical differences.