AFL Hall-of-Fame QB Named Wranglers Head Coach
October 24, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Austin Wranglers News Release
AUSTIN-The Austin Wranglers announced today that Arena Football League Hall-of-Fame quarterback Ben Bennett has been named the team's head coach. Bennett, who has had tremendous success both as an Arena Football player and coach, becomes the third head coach in franchise history.
"We are thrilled to have someone of Coach Bennett's caliber as our head coach," said team ownership representative Glyn Milburn. "He understands what it takes to have a successful team on and off the field, and has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the community everywhere he has been."
In five seasons as an af2 head coach, Bennett has compiled a 56-33 record, including a 12-win season in 2005, with the Manchester Wolves. Bennett-coached teams have never had fewer than ten wins in a season, and all five of his teams have made it to the playoffs. Bennett's 2004 Florida Firecats squad won the Arena Cup.
"I feel very fortunate to be working for the Wrangler's organization, "said Bennett. "With the guidance of the ownership here and their fantastic fan base, I truly believe that Austin can and will be the flagship franchise of the AF2. To do that, we need to win a championship. That's why I'm here."
During his playing days, Coach Bennett enjoyed a ten-year career which saw him make five ArenaBowl appearances as a member of AFL teams, and he was selected as the All-Arena First Team Quarterback on three separate occasions. At the conclusion of his playing career, which saw him amass 14,168 yards passing and 267 touchdowns, Coach Bennett was inducted into the AFL Hall-of-Fame (2000).
Coach Bennett attended Duke University where, as a freshman quarterback, he was voted Atlantic Coast Conference "Rookie of the Year". His best individual game as a collegian came against Wake Forest University, where he set three NCAA freshman records by completing 38-of-62 passes for 469 yards.
After four successful seasons, Coach Bennett completed his collegiate career as the top passer in the history of NCAA Division I-A football with the most passes attempted (1,375), the most passes completed (820), and the most passing yardage (9,614). His record for passes attempted and yards surpassed marks set by John Elway and Jim McMahon.
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