You don't win coach of the year by being a crappy coach.
Also, Nolan's job was not to be in on the tank. You are a smart poster, I thought you'd know that.
I believe that if GMTM honestly thought that Ted Nolan is a coach with the ability to take the team to the Stanley Cup finals, then Ted Nolan would have been given a 3 year contract.
Obviously, that is the case.