Post by fwp on May 4, 2010 14:54:25 GMT -5
www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_206b5be6-57a4-11df-b9e2-001cc4c002e0.html
BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Extreme’s reconstituted coaching staff has already begun implementing changes designed on reversing the team’s fortunes.
“We’ve got to get this team turned around mentally first of all,” said Ted Schmitz, who assumed head coaching duties after Kenton Carr was fired on Monday. “Once we do that, we will turn around physically and we’ll win close games.”
Dusty Burk, the University High School football coach who had been volunteering with the Extreme, has been added to the staff as co-offensive coordinator. He will share offensive responsibilities with John Johnson, who will also lead the special teams.
“Dusty will make the calls on the field like he did when he was our quarterback. I think it will help Rocky Hinds a lot,” said Schmitz.
On defense, Schmitz has decided to switch from a one-linebacker scheme to one that features two linebackers and allows Joe Bevis and Justin Harrison to lead the unit.
“We think Harrison is a real valuable person for us. He will be what I call a hybrid: half strong safety, half linebacker, he’ll be like a nickel back in the pro/college game,” said Schmitz. “We’re going to do a lot of things with him and he will have to do a lot. He’s a sharp kid and he will do on defense what Dusty’s going to do on offense on the field.”
The Extreme has fallen to 3-5 after losing four of its last five Indoor Football League games. Only one of Bloomington’s opponents for the final six games has a currently has a winning record, but ownership still felt the coaching change was necessary to meet expectations.
“I think it’s a message to the players that we’re used to better. We’ve got the talent, they’re just not performing,” managing partner Ed Brady said at Tuesday’s media session at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. “It’s a message that there’s a new sheriff in town and he’s going to bring the level of play up.
“But it’s also a message to our fans that have been used to the tradition of indoor football in the last four years of quality, excitement, entertainment. We want to make sure our fans are still there and that they know we’re taking this as seriously as any NFL team would to win games and bring excitement to the Coliseum.”
BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Extreme’s reconstituted coaching staff has already begun implementing changes designed on reversing the team’s fortunes.
“We’ve got to get this team turned around mentally first of all,” said Ted Schmitz, who assumed head coaching duties after Kenton Carr was fired on Monday. “Once we do that, we will turn around physically and we’ll win close games.”
Dusty Burk, the University High School football coach who had been volunteering with the Extreme, has been added to the staff as co-offensive coordinator. He will share offensive responsibilities with John Johnson, who will also lead the special teams.
“Dusty will make the calls on the field like he did when he was our quarterback. I think it will help Rocky Hinds a lot,” said Schmitz.
On defense, Schmitz has decided to switch from a one-linebacker scheme to one that features two linebackers and allows Joe Bevis and Justin Harrison to lead the unit.
“We think Harrison is a real valuable person for us. He will be what I call a hybrid: half strong safety, half linebacker, he’ll be like a nickel back in the pro/college game,” said Schmitz. “We’re going to do a lot of things with him and he will have to do a lot. He’s a sharp kid and he will do on defense what Dusty’s going to do on offense on the field.”
The Extreme has fallen to 3-5 after losing four of its last five Indoor Football League games. Only one of Bloomington’s opponents for the final six games has a currently has a winning record, but ownership still felt the coaching change was necessary to meet expectations.
“I think it’s a message to the players that we’re used to better. We’ve got the talent, they’re just not performing,” managing partner Ed Brady said at Tuesday’s media session at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. “It’s a message that there’s a new sheriff in town and he’s going to bring the level of play up.
“But it’s also a message to our fans that have been used to the tradition of indoor football in the last four years of quality, excitement, entertainment. We want to make sure our fans are still there and that they know we’re taking this as seriously as any NFL team would to win games and bring excitement to the Coliseum.”