Post by fwp on Mar 27, 2009 4:41:55 GMT -5
www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090327/SPORTS/903270303/1002
Bubba Diggs has been dismissed as coach of the South Carolina Force after one game.
Tony Wells, Force general manager, said today he would take over as interim coach, preparing the Force for Saturday's game at the Reading (Pa.) Stampede.
Diggs' dismissal comes on the heels of the Force's franchise-opening loss Saturday to Fayetteville at the Bi-Lo Center. The Force scored 18 points, the second fewest in the American Indoor Football Association this season.
"There were a lot of things that built up to the game," Well said. "It's nothing against Coach Diggs as a person. He is going to make someone a fine head coach, but for the direction that the team wants to go in, we needed a change. There is a different image we want to portray, that Greenville deserves. We know Greenville fans. If you don't win, they won't come out, and I wouldn't expect them to."
In 2007, Diggs directed the Augusta Spartans to the World Indoor Football League championship. However, he has managed a 7-8 record in AIFA games, including 7-7 last year with the Augusta Colts.
"People might ask, 'One game? How can you make that assessment after one game?' " Wells said. "I've been around this game long enough. You know. You know when a program is not moving in the right direction. You can look on the field and see things being done that aren't football. You know that comes from the top."
The remainder of the coaching staff will remain intact, although the Force's director of game day operations, Jonathan Clark, was also dismissed.
Wells said he hopes the personnel changes have delivered a message of accountability to the entire organization.
"The coaches, the players, they all know now that they are going to be held accountable," Wells said. "If the head coach can get fired, anybody can go if they are not producing.
"All these decisions came down from the owner, but I was in agreement with them. The only decisions I make around here are what kind of cream I want in my coffee. I want to be the general manager, but I'm a team player. For the last four years, that has been my job, to be a head coach. So I know I can do it.
"The guys are ready to work. They've been here since Day One, before Bubba. It won't affect us. We'll get this team moving in the right direction."
Bubba Diggs has been dismissed as coach of the South Carolina Force after one game.
Tony Wells, Force general manager, said today he would take over as interim coach, preparing the Force for Saturday's game at the Reading (Pa.) Stampede.
Diggs' dismissal comes on the heels of the Force's franchise-opening loss Saturday to Fayetteville at the Bi-Lo Center. The Force scored 18 points, the second fewest in the American Indoor Football Association this season.
"There were a lot of things that built up to the game," Well said. "It's nothing against Coach Diggs as a person. He is going to make someone a fine head coach, but for the direction that the team wants to go in, we needed a change. There is a different image we want to portray, that Greenville deserves. We know Greenville fans. If you don't win, they won't come out, and I wouldn't expect them to."
In 2007, Diggs directed the Augusta Spartans to the World Indoor Football League championship. However, he has managed a 7-8 record in AIFA games, including 7-7 last year with the Augusta Colts.
"People might ask, 'One game? How can you make that assessment after one game?' " Wells said. "I've been around this game long enough. You know. You know when a program is not moving in the right direction. You can look on the field and see things being done that aren't football. You know that comes from the top."
The remainder of the coaching staff will remain intact, although the Force's director of game day operations, Jonathan Clark, was also dismissed.
Wells said he hopes the personnel changes have delivered a message of accountability to the entire organization.
"The coaches, the players, they all know now that they are going to be held accountable," Wells said. "If the head coach can get fired, anybody can go if they are not producing.
"All these decisions came down from the owner, but I was in agreement with them. The only decisions I make around here are what kind of cream I want in my coffee. I want to be the general manager, but I'm a team player. For the last four years, that has been my job, to be a head coach. So I know I can do it.
"The guys are ready to work. They've been here since Day One, before Bubba. It won't affect us. We'll get this team moving in the right direction."