Post by Banana Cat on Dec 2, 2011 5:43:53 GMT -5
www.siouxcityjournal.com/sports/football/amateur/faulkenberry-out-as-bandits-coach/article_ac8e8fbe-64c8-5e80-8838-fae2f81b076f.html
Faulkenberry out as Bandits coach
By Jerry Giese / siouxcityjournal.com
December 1, 2011
SIOUX CITY -- For the fifth time in the last six years, the Sioux City Bandits will start a new season with a new head coach.
According to Bob Scott, managing partner of the Bandits, an offseason incident led to the firing of Butch Faulkenberry, who guided last season's squad to a 14-0 record and the American Professional Football League championship. The announcement was made Thursday.
"We felt it was better to change directions," said Scott, when contacted Thursday afternoon, but refused to talk about the incident.
"We appreciate all of the things he did. We pride ourselves on being a community deal. We wish him the best. He's (an assistant coach) at North, so he's not out of football by any stretch."
Faulkenberry cited internal issues as a likely driving factor for his dismissal.
"I wish the Bandits all the best," said Faulkenberry. "I loved being with the guys last season. It is my perception the problems we had were internal and Bob felt it would be best to handle things this way. I stand on my record both on and off the field."
Defensive statistics put up by the Bandits in 2011 led to Faulkenberry's new role last fall as defensive coordinator for Coach Shawn Meth's North High School football squad. Among the 16 team records established by the APFL champions included interceptions (40), interception touchdowns (9), fumble recoveries (10) and fumble recovery touchdowns (10).
Defensively, the Bandits allowed an average of 21.4 points and 150.0 total yards per game. The squad, which also established 10 new individual records, also averaged 60.6 points and 239.1 total yards on offense, while winning 11 of the 14 games by an average margin of 38.3 points.
That figure, incidentally, doesn't include a 112-0 rout of the Kansas City Matadors on May 29. Faulkenberry's Bandits attacked offensively, defensively and among the other team records was four kick return touchdowns.
Faulkenberry, who came to the Bandits after three successful seasons with the Iowa Sharks (26-2 record), retained as coaches, three former Bandit players, quarterback Jarrod DeGeorgia, offensive lineman Erv Strohbeen and defensive back John Zevenbergen. The three of them helped Faulkenberry, also a former head football coach at Galva-Holstein High School, make the transition to the speed of the indoor game.
"I want to thank the Bandits organization and m coaches for a great experience in 2011," said Faulkenberry. "We were able to accomplish the ultimate golf of winning a championship with great players.
"I also want to thank the fans for their support. The Bandits have great fans. I wish the Bandits the best of luck in the future."
"I want to thank Butch for his effort last year," said Scott. "He did a good job getting the players out in the community and getting fans excited with the Bandits again. We wish Butch the best as he moves forward in his coaching career."
The Bandits will announce a new head coach within the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, the open tryout camp scheduled for this Sunday at the Long Lines Recreation Center, will go on as scheduled. The camp will be held from noon to 4 p.m. A second tryout camp is set for Jan. 15, also at Long Lines.
By Jerry Giese / siouxcityjournal.com
December 1, 2011
SIOUX CITY -- For the fifth time in the last six years, the Sioux City Bandits will start a new season with a new head coach.
According to Bob Scott, managing partner of the Bandits, an offseason incident led to the firing of Butch Faulkenberry, who guided last season's squad to a 14-0 record and the American Professional Football League championship. The announcement was made Thursday.
"We felt it was better to change directions," said Scott, when contacted Thursday afternoon, but refused to talk about the incident.
"We appreciate all of the things he did. We pride ourselves on being a community deal. We wish him the best. He's (an assistant coach) at North, so he's not out of football by any stretch."
Faulkenberry cited internal issues as a likely driving factor for his dismissal.
"I wish the Bandits all the best," said Faulkenberry. "I loved being with the guys last season. It is my perception the problems we had were internal and Bob felt it would be best to handle things this way. I stand on my record both on and off the field."
Defensive statistics put up by the Bandits in 2011 led to Faulkenberry's new role last fall as defensive coordinator for Coach Shawn Meth's North High School football squad. Among the 16 team records established by the APFL champions included interceptions (40), interception touchdowns (9), fumble recoveries (10) and fumble recovery touchdowns (10).
Defensively, the Bandits allowed an average of 21.4 points and 150.0 total yards per game. The squad, which also established 10 new individual records, also averaged 60.6 points and 239.1 total yards on offense, while winning 11 of the 14 games by an average margin of 38.3 points.
That figure, incidentally, doesn't include a 112-0 rout of the Kansas City Matadors on May 29. Faulkenberry's Bandits attacked offensively, defensively and among the other team records was four kick return touchdowns.
Faulkenberry, who came to the Bandits after three successful seasons with the Iowa Sharks (26-2 record), retained as coaches, three former Bandit players, quarterback Jarrod DeGeorgia, offensive lineman Erv Strohbeen and defensive back John Zevenbergen. The three of them helped Faulkenberry, also a former head football coach at Galva-Holstein High School, make the transition to the speed of the indoor game.
"I want to thank the Bandits organization and m coaches for a great experience in 2011," said Faulkenberry. "We were able to accomplish the ultimate golf of winning a championship with great players.
"I also want to thank the fans for their support. The Bandits have great fans. I wish the Bandits the best of luck in the future."
"I want to thank Butch for his effort last year," said Scott. "He did a good job getting the players out in the community and getting fans excited with the Bandits again. We wish Butch the best as he moves forward in his coaching career."
The Bandits will announce a new head coach within the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, the open tryout camp scheduled for this Sunday at the Long Lines Recreation Center, will go on as scheduled. The camp will be held from noon to 4 p.m. A second tryout camp is set for Jan. 15, also at Long Lines.