Hitchcock won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999, and is the fourth-winningest coach in NHL history with a total of 849 victories.

This led him into coaching, first at various levels in the Edmonton area, and later a ten-year stint at the helm of the midget AAA Sherwood Park Chain Gang.

Midway through the following season, after getting off to a mediocre 23–21–6 start and in the midst of strife between the players and management, Hitchcock was fired as head coach.

[6] Hitchcock was quickly picked up in the 2002 off-season by his old team, the Philadelphia Flyers, who had just fired their head coach, Bill Barber, after an early exit from the playoffs.

[7][8] Hitchcock brought much-needed discipline and direction to the Flyers and led them to a 45–24–13 record in his first season, losing in the Conference Semifinals.

In Hitchcock's second season with the Flyers, they finished first in the Atlantic Division with a 40–21–15 record and advanced to the Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champion Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games.

On July 9, 2008, the Blue Jackets announced that they had signed Hitchcock to a three-year extension to remain as their head coach.

[12] On February 19, 2009, the Blue Jackets earned Hitchcock his 500th career NHL win as a head coach by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On April 8, 2009, Hitchcock secured the Blue Jackets' first-ever postseason appearance with a 4–3 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

[20][21] Hitchcock was fired one game before tying Al Arbour's record (782) for third-most wins by an NHL head coach.

[25] On November 20, 2018, Hitchcock came out of retirement and was named head coach of the Edmonton Oilers after Todd McLellan was relieved of his duties.