Mike Jones appointed head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy
January 30, 2004 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
Former Rhein Fire offensive coordinator Mike Jones has been named as the new head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Jones, a two-time World Bowl winner, takes five years of NFL Europe coaching experience to Frankfurt, including the last two as the Fire's offensive coordinator.
He replaces Doug Graber, who won the World Bowl in 2003 with the Galaxy and has been appointed to the position of defensive backs coach by the New York Jets after three years in Frankfurt.
Jones said: "I am very excited about taking up the head coaching post in Frankfurt. This is a franchise with a great winning tradition and coming off a World Bowl victory. I have every intention of continuing that success.
"Having been with the Rhein Fire, I have had the opportunity to coach several times in Frankfurt, and it is a great city with tremendous fans, who get behind their team. I hope that they are as excited as I am about the upcoming season."
Jones spent five years with the Fire in two spells, reaching the World Bowl on four occasions. From 1998 to 2000 he was the team's wide receivers coach, with the Fire winning the NFLEL championship in 1998 and 2000. After a one year hiatus from NFL Europe, Jones returned to the Fire as offensive coordinator in 2002. The Fire returned to the World Bowl in 2002 and 2003, losing to German rivals Berlin and Frankfurt.
The Rhein Fire ranked first and second in total yards gained on offense during Jones' s two years as offensive coordinator with the team. He has coached NFL receivers Marcus Robinson, Jeff Ogden and Jason Tucker during his five years in Germany.
NFLEL Senior Director of Football Operations Nick Polk said: "Mike thoroughly deserves this opportunity to take the next step as a head coach in NFL Europe. He is a young, energetic and talented coach whose record of achievements in the league speaks for itself. We feel that he will be very successful as head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy."
Jones had a seven-year career as an NFL wide receiver from 1983-1989, playing with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
Doug Graber takes 37 years of coaching experience to the New York Jets, having coached at every level - from high school to an NFL coordinator position. Last year he led the Frankfurt Galaxy to a 6-4 record and a 35-16 victory in the World Bowl over the Rhein Fire.
Polk added: "We wish Doug the best in his exciting new position with the New York Jets. He has helped to maintain the winning traditions of the Galaxy, and has developed a number of good players who have gone on to have success in the NFL."
Jones becomes the fifth head coach in Frankfurt Galaxy history, succeeding Jack Elway (1991-92), Ernie Stautner (1995-97), Dick Curl (1998-2000) and Graber (2001-2003).
National Football League Europa Stories from January 30, 2004
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