Post by 50yardfan on Sept 29, 2010 9:24:26 GMT -5
www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=13234050
Tucson, AZ (KOLD) - Floyd Johnson was named the first head football coach of the Tucson Thunder Kats.
The Thunder Kats, an expansion indoor football team of the American Indoor Football Association, made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
"It was a very good opportunity," said Johnson.
"When we were reviewing for coaches we didn't just want a football guy," said Brad Corneliusen, the team's Chief Operating Officer. "We wanted a football guy that was also a community guy. Coach Johnson has a history of dealing with kids and helping to bring them along and mentor them in a positive way."
Johnson's experience in indoor football is plentiful. Not only did he suit up as a player but Johnson has held the reigns for several organizations. From 2005-2007 Johnson was the head coach of the Colorado Springs Wildcats, a team that played in the National Indoor Football League. He followed that up with a stint as head coach of the New Mexico Wildcats of the American Indoor Football Association. Last season, Johnson was the offensive coordinator for the Alaska Wild in the Intense Football League. So why Tucson and why now?
"This is a great organization," said Johnson. "It's better than any I've ever seen. They're doing everything the way they're supposed to do it."
Sounds surprising considering the amount of changes that have taken place within the Thunder Kats the past few months. From front office changes to even a change in leagues (the Kats moved from the Indoor Football League to the AIFL due to a divisional change), it has remained to be seen whether this en devour was even going to get off the ground.
"Over the past couple of months it's been very consistent," said Corneliusen. "We've been working very hard as an organization building for the future."
A future that now includes Johnson whose expectations or year one are anything but low.
"Nothing less than winning at least the division and getting to the playoffs," said Johnson. "But I think we can do much better than that our first year out with the talent I'm planning on bringing in and the local talent from around here. I think we can make a run for the whole thing."
The Thunder Kats plan on having another open tryout Saturday October 16th. Details will follow. Season tickets should be available in the coming weeks. The Kats first game will be March 6, 2011.
Tucson, AZ (KOLD) - Floyd Johnson was named the first head football coach of the Tucson Thunder Kats.
The Thunder Kats, an expansion indoor football team of the American Indoor Football Association, made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
"It was a very good opportunity," said Johnson.
"When we were reviewing for coaches we didn't just want a football guy," said Brad Corneliusen, the team's Chief Operating Officer. "We wanted a football guy that was also a community guy. Coach Johnson has a history of dealing with kids and helping to bring them along and mentor them in a positive way."
Johnson's experience in indoor football is plentiful. Not only did he suit up as a player but Johnson has held the reigns for several organizations. From 2005-2007 Johnson was the head coach of the Colorado Springs Wildcats, a team that played in the National Indoor Football League. He followed that up with a stint as head coach of the New Mexico Wildcats of the American Indoor Football Association. Last season, Johnson was the offensive coordinator for the Alaska Wild in the Intense Football League. So why Tucson and why now?
"This is a great organization," said Johnson. "It's better than any I've ever seen. They're doing everything the way they're supposed to do it."
Sounds surprising considering the amount of changes that have taken place within the Thunder Kats the past few months. From front office changes to even a change in leagues (the Kats moved from the Indoor Football League to the AIFL due to a divisional change), it has remained to be seen whether this en devour was even going to get off the ground.
"Over the past couple of months it's been very consistent," said Corneliusen. "We've been working very hard as an organization building for the future."
A future that now includes Johnson whose expectations or year one are anything but low.
"Nothing less than winning at least the division and getting to the playoffs," said Johnson. "But I think we can do much better than that our first year out with the talent I'm planning on bringing in and the local talent from around here. I think we can make a run for the whole thing."
The Thunder Kats plan on having another open tryout Saturday October 16th. Details will follow. Season tickets should be available in the coming weeks. The Kats first game will be March 6, 2011.