Post by Banana Cat on Jan 12, 2011 23:30:45 GMT -5
I think it's funny how Theismann buys part ownership of the Florida (Orlando) Tuskers and then they end up folding.
It will be interesting to see where they expand to for the sixth team this year. It'd be nice to have a team in Oregon.
www.ufl-football.com/news/jay-gruden-coach-virginia-destroyers-united-football-league
It will be interesting to see where they expand to for the sixth team this year. It'd be nice to have a team in Oregon.
www.ufl-football.com/news/jay-gruden-coach-virginia-destroyers-united-football-league
Jay Gruden to Coach the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League
January 12, 2011 by UFL Press
JAY GRUDEN has been named Head Coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.
Gruden’s move comes as a result of the UFL ceasing operations in Orlando and the coaching vacancy that was created when JOE MOGLIA was named head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks. Gruden plans to retain the Tusker’s protected players and bring them to Virginia, which became the league’s newest expansion market in 2010.
“We will bring quality entertainment and the basis of a solid roster that has reached the last two Championship Games to excite the fans in Virginia,” said Coach Gruden. “I expect to bring back a lot of the guys who have helped make the team a success and believe we will be competitive again.
“I am excited about going up to Virginia to lead the Destroyers, though there is a bittersweet element as well. We have enjoyed success on the field with the Tuskers and I would like to thank the fans in Florida for their support.”
Gruden, defensive coordinator CHUCK BRESNAHAN and additional former members of the Florida Tuskers football staff will now spearhead the fortunes of Destroyers, who will commence play at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in 2011.
Gruden will be reunited with Destroyers General Manager DOUG WILLIAMS. The pair coached together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League.
“I am looking forward to working with Doug again and feel that we will start from a very strong position of having an established team and a great platform from which to launch the Destroyers. Doug and I already have a good relationship and will work well together.”
Williams added: “I feel really good about where we are now, getting a proven coaching staff and core of players puts the Destroyers in the mix for the Championship right from the start. Fans can expect a high powered offense and hard-nosed defense that is very exciting to watch.”
Gruden began his UFL tenure in 2009 as the Tuskers’ offensive coordinator and his offense averaged a league-best 30.5 points per game and finished the season with a perfect 6-0 record. The UFL named Gruden head coach of the Tuskers on February 9, 2010 and he guided his team to a 5-3 record and a berth in the UFL Championship Game.
From 2002-2008, he served as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his tenure, the Bucs won three divisional titles and collected a Super Bowl Championship.
A long-time head coach in the Arena Football League, Gruden served two separate stints (2004-08 and 1998-2001) as head coach and general manager of the Orlando Predators. During his nine-season reign, Gruden led the Predators to four ArenaBowl appearances and a pair of championships. Under Gruden, Orlando never failed to make the playoffs and posted an overall record of 93-61 (.604 winning percentage).
Gruden continues to rank in the top 10 in AFL history in wins, post-season wins and winning percentage.
Gruden will be available to meet with Virginia media and Destroyers fans when he visits the region on Friday at a time and venue to be confirmed.
Explaining the closing of the UFL franchise in Orlando, Commissioner MICHAEL HUYGHUE said: “Orlando was a great market, but the big driver was the size of the venues available to us. We need appropriately sized stadium venues as much as we need non-NFL markets in order to be successful. Virginia offers us the ideal scenario, while such an option does not exist in Orlando.
“We are looking to secure a sixth UFL franchise and another coach for the 2011 season and are involved in ongoing talks with a number of potential expansion cities.”
JOE THEISMANN will serve as a consultant to the United Football League having previously been President of the now defunct Florida Tuskers.
JOE MOGLIA, who was originally installed as the head coach of the expansion team Virginia Destroyers, will fill the Omaha Nighthawks head coaching vacancy, remaining in the city that is home to TD Ameritrade, of which he was the CEO for seven years and is Chairman of the Board. Moglia was Executive Advisor to Bo Pelini, the head football coach at the University of Nebraska in nearby Lincoln, NE for the past two years.
January 12, 2011 by UFL Press
JAY GRUDEN has been named Head Coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.
Gruden’s move comes as a result of the UFL ceasing operations in Orlando and the coaching vacancy that was created when JOE MOGLIA was named head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks. Gruden plans to retain the Tusker’s protected players and bring them to Virginia, which became the league’s newest expansion market in 2010.
“We will bring quality entertainment and the basis of a solid roster that has reached the last two Championship Games to excite the fans in Virginia,” said Coach Gruden. “I expect to bring back a lot of the guys who have helped make the team a success and believe we will be competitive again.
“I am excited about going up to Virginia to lead the Destroyers, though there is a bittersweet element as well. We have enjoyed success on the field with the Tuskers and I would like to thank the fans in Florida for their support.”
Gruden, defensive coordinator CHUCK BRESNAHAN and additional former members of the Florida Tuskers football staff will now spearhead the fortunes of Destroyers, who will commence play at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in 2011.
Gruden will be reunited with Destroyers General Manager DOUG WILLIAMS. The pair coached together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League.
“I am looking forward to working with Doug again and feel that we will start from a very strong position of having an established team and a great platform from which to launch the Destroyers. Doug and I already have a good relationship and will work well together.”
Williams added: “I feel really good about where we are now, getting a proven coaching staff and core of players puts the Destroyers in the mix for the Championship right from the start. Fans can expect a high powered offense and hard-nosed defense that is very exciting to watch.”
Gruden began his UFL tenure in 2009 as the Tuskers’ offensive coordinator and his offense averaged a league-best 30.5 points per game and finished the season with a perfect 6-0 record. The UFL named Gruden head coach of the Tuskers on February 9, 2010 and he guided his team to a 5-3 record and a berth in the UFL Championship Game.
From 2002-2008, he served as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his tenure, the Bucs won three divisional titles and collected a Super Bowl Championship.
A long-time head coach in the Arena Football League, Gruden served two separate stints (2004-08 and 1998-2001) as head coach and general manager of the Orlando Predators. During his nine-season reign, Gruden led the Predators to four ArenaBowl appearances and a pair of championships. Under Gruden, Orlando never failed to make the playoffs and posted an overall record of 93-61 (.604 winning percentage).
Gruden continues to rank in the top 10 in AFL history in wins, post-season wins and winning percentage.
Gruden will be available to meet with Virginia media and Destroyers fans when he visits the region on Friday at a time and venue to be confirmed.
Explaining the closing of the UFL franchise in Orlando, Commissioner MICHAEL HUYGHUE said: “Orlando was a great market, but the big driver was the size of the venues available to us. We need appropriately sized stadium venues as much as we need non-NFL markets in order to be successful. Virginia offers us the ideal scenario, while such an option does not exist in Orlando.
“We are looking to secure a sixth UFL franchise and another coach for the 2011 season and are involved in ongoing talks with a number of potential expansion cities.”
JOE THEISMANN will serve as a consultant to the United Football League having previously been President of the now defunct Florida Tuskers.
JOE MOGLIA, who was originally installed as the head coach of the expansion team Virginia Destroyers, will fill the Omaha Nighthawks head coaching vacancy, remaining in the city that is home to TD Ameritrade, of which he was the CEO for seven years and is Chairman of the Board. Moglia was Executive Advisor to Bo Pelini, the head football coach at the University of Nebraska in nearby Lincoln, NE for the past two years.