Polano never played in the National Hockey League, but he did play 15 seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), plus 17 games in the World Hockey Association (WHA) as a defenceman.\n', '

Polano began his coaching career in 1975–76 with Erie of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and led that team to three consecutive regular season and playoff championships. He was twice named EHL coach of the year and in 1981 was named minor league executive of the year by The Sporting News.\n', '

Polano spent ten seasons in the Detroit Red Wings organization, first as head coach and then as assistant general manager. Polano guided the Red Wings from 1982 to 1985 and amassed a 79-127-34 regular season record as their head coach. In the summer of 1985, Polano was replaced as head coach by Harry Neale, but remained in the organization as the assistant general manager for player development. The move had been planned by Red Wings general manager Jim Devellano several years prior. Polano and team vice president Jim Lites, along with several European scouts, were instrumental in aiding the defection of several future NHL players from behind the Iron Curtain including Petr Klima, Slava Kozlov, and Sergei Fedorov.\n', '

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