Nick Polano (born March 25, 1941 in Copper Cliff, Ontario, Canada) was the Detroit Red Wings' head coach when owner Mike Ilitch first bought the team in 1982. He later served as the team's GM. Polano never played in the National Hockey League, but he did play in the American Hockey League and World Hockey Association for many years as a defenceman. As head coach, his overall record in the NHL was 79-127-34. Before joining Detroit, Polano served as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres for one season under Scotty Bowman in 1981-82.