Post by Banana Cat on Jan 17, 2009 8:37:03 GMT -5
It definitely looks as if CenTex is done for 2009. Perhaps they can come back in 2010.
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www.tdtnews.com/story/2009/01/11/55014
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www.tdtnews.com/story/2009/01/11/55014
11 January 2009
Coach leaves for Austin team as Barracudas' future remains in doubt
Marcus Hood / Temple Daily Telegraph Sports Writer
If the CenTex Barracudas return for a fourth season of indoor football, they will do so with their sixth head coach in franchise history. Chris Duliban, who led the Barracudas to an 8-6 regular-season finish in the Intense Football League and their first-ever playoff win, a 71-18 romp over the Alaska Wild, accepted the head coaching position with the Austin Turfcats of the new Southern Indoor Football League on Thursday. That was the latest blow indicating that the Barracudas might not field a team in 2009. After last season, the IFL merged with the United Indoor Football League in what now is the Indoor Football League. The merger created a league with more than 20 teams in 14 states. That created budget concerns for several teams, including the Barracudas, because the possibility of extended travel looked like a reality. That already had been a concern within the old IFL with two teams from Alaska, one from Louisiana and six spread out in Texas. Those concerns prompted Thom Hager, owner of the IFL champion Louisiana Swash-bucklers, to pull his team out of the newly formed league and create the Southern Indoor Football League, with a re-emphasis on regional competition. Also concerned with travel and finances, the Barracudas pulled out of the new IFL in the hope of joining the SIFL, and the team’s owner, Dr. Frederick Barnett, also began searching for investors to keep the team alive. With the team in limbo, Duliban began exploring other opportunities, while waiting for some definitive word from Barnett. “I don’t know (the status of the team),” Duliban said in early December. “I don’t know if anybody really knows. Doc (Barnett) had told me he should know something within a week or two. But I’ve been in limbo trying to figure out what I’m going to do.” He said at the time that the Turfcats had been in contact with him about the possibility of leading the team, but he was waiting to see what the Barracudas were going to do. “I’d hate to see the foundation we built there just go away,” he said. “I think we were really starting to make progress and build a winning program.” At that time, Barracudas officials said they had secured housing for players and had a deal in the works with every intention of playing in 2009. They also had said an announcement likely would be made before Christmas. The announcement never came, and Duliban accepted the job in Austin. That might have been the final blow to the Barracudas’ hopes of returning, but team officials haven’t completely shut the door. “It’s still up in the air,” Barracudas general manager Brett Quigley said Friday. “Dr. Barnett still has some offers on the table and we should know something within a week.” With most indoor football leagues beginning play in March, Quigley noted that a decision will have to be made soon for the Barracudas to avoid folding. The team still will need time for ticket sales, sponsorships and now finding a coach and players. And with the SIFL trying to finalize its schedule in the next few weeks and begin play in April, the decision ultimately could be made for them if they can’t find a partnership soon. The SIFL plans to have teams in Houston, Pasadena, Houma, La., Lafayette, La., along with the Swashbucklers and Turfcats. The league also has commitments from Waco and several markets in Florida for 2010.
Coach leaves for Austin team as Barracudas' future remains in doubt
Marcus Hood / Temple Daily Telegraph Sports Writer
If the CenTex Barracudas return for a fourth season of indoor football, they will do so with their sixth head coach in franchise history. Chris Duliban, who led the Barracudas to an 8-6 regular-season finish in the Intense Football League and their first-ever playoff win, a 71-18 romp over the Alaska Wild, accepted the head coaching position with the Austin Turfcats of the new Southern Indoor Football League on Thursday. That was the latest blow indicating that the Barracudas might not field a team in 2009. After last season, the IFL merged with the United Indoor Football League in what now is the Indoor Football League. The merger created a league with more than 20 teams in 14 states. That created budget concerns for several teams, including the Barracudas, because the possibility of extended travel looked like a reality. That already had been a concern within the old IFL with two teams from Alaska, one from Louisiana and six spread out in Texas. Those concerns prompted Thom Hager, owner of the IFL champion Louisiana Swash-bucklers, to pull his team out of the newly formed league and create the Southern Indoor Football League, with a re-emphasis on regional competition. Also concerned with travel and finances, the Barracudas pulled out of the new IFL in the hope of joining the SIFL, and the team’s owner, Dr. Frederick Barnett, also began searching for investors to keep the team alive. With the team in limbo, Duliban began exploring other opportunities, while waiting for some definitive word from Barnett. “I don’t know (the status of the team),” Duliban said in early December. “I don’t know if anybody really knows. Doc (Barnett) had told me he should know something within a week or two. But I’ve been in limbo trying to figure out what I’m going to do.” He said at the time that the Turfcats had been in contact with him about the possibility of leading the team, but he was waiting to see what the Barracudas were going to do. “I’d hate to see the foundation we built there just go away,” he said. “I think we were really starting to make progress and build a winning program.” At that time, Barracudas officials said they had secured housing for players and had a deal in the works with every intention of playing in 2009. They also had said an announcement likely would be made before Christmas. The announcement never came, and Duliban accepted the job in Austin. That might have been the final blow to the Barracudas’ hopes of returning, but team officials haven’t completely shut the door. “It’s still up in the air,” Barracudas general manager Brett Quigley said Friday. “Dr. Barnett still has some offers on the table and we should know something within a week.” With most indoor football leagues beginning play in March, Quigley noted that a decision will have to be made soon for the Barracudas to avoid folding. The team still will need time for ticket sales, sponsorships and now finding a coach and players. And with the SIFL trying to finalize its schedule in the next few weeks and begin play in April, the decision ultimately could be made for them if they can’t find a partnership soon. The SIFL plans to have teams in Houston, Pasadena, Houma, La., Lafayette, La., along with the Swashbucklers and Turfcats. The league also has commitments from Waco and several markets in Florida for 2010.