TV Reporter Admits Crush on Married NHL Coach, Offers Herself as Backup

A TV reporter has publicly acknowledged having a crush on married Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, stating she would be "waiting in the wings" if an opportunity arose. The comments were made by Judith Retana, host of "Wake Up Later, Carolina," during a segment that has since been deleted or disabled from social media.

Retana admitted during the broadcast that she had a crush on Brind’Amour. While acknowledging his wife and their relationship, she stated, "I'll be waiting in the wings in case anything goes awry." According to the New York Post, a disclaimer that appeared on the deleted clip clarified that Retana's interest was in men who were previously married, divorced, separated, or men with children, which she described not as baggage but as a "built-in family."

Retana's co-host, meteorologist Rachel Duensing, reportedly attempted to steer the conversation away from the oversharing. Despite this, Retana shared the clip on social media before it was removed. The report noted that Retana acknowledged that if she had the opportunity to revisit the situation, she would have approached it differently.

Brind’Amour, a former NHL player, has been the head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes since 2018. The team won the Stanley Cup in 2026 under his leadership.