Peoria Pirates head coach is dismissed
May 12, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Peoria Pirates News Release
Veteran Peoria Pirates head Coach Bruce Cowdrey was dismissed by Majority Owner Doug MacGregor Tuesday afternoon. Cowdrey, who was in his 5th season as the Pirates skipper was 1-5 in af2 League play so far this season. The team lost its 5th game in 2009 to the expansion Milwaukee Iron Saturday night in the Peoria Civic Center 62-57, giving up a 22 point lead in the 4th quarter, without scoring any points.
His overall af2 record stands at 37 wins and 40 losses. His 2008 squad went 4-12. In his first season in the af2 in 2002, he took the Pirates to a 15-5 record and an af2 ArenaCup Championship win over the Florida Firecats in Ft Myers, FL., 65-47. Prior to joining the af2, the Pirates played in the IFL, (non Arena Football indoor league) for several years before joining the af2. In their last season in the IFL in 2000, Cowdrey led the Pirates to an IFL Gold Cup title in 2000.
MacGregor stated earlier today that "we wish Coach Cowdrey the best and thank him for his many years of past service and dedication to the Pirates and the Peoria sports community. The team will launch a search for a high profile successor who will have a successful head coaching record in Arena Football, as well as being a skilled player talent recruiter and a coach who will lead and coach his players by example, both on and off the field". An announcement is expected by the first of the week.
Meanwhile, Coach Cowdrey will lead the club one last time Friday night on the road against the Green Bay Blizzard. The game will be broadcast live from the Resch Center in Green Bay on The BUZZ 99.9 FM with Brendan Burke and John Venturi doing the play by play call. The game will be telecast live on the internet at www.af2tv.com
For further information contact the Pirates Media Relations office at 309-673-1000.
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