Thunder make change, part ways with Hold
April 28, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mahoning Valley Thunder News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio- The Mahoning Valley Thunder would like to announce that Mike Hold has been relieved of his Head Coaching duties following a 1-4 start to the 2009 campaign. Defensive Coordinator Brennen Booth will take over as interim Head Coach effective immediately. Coach Booth and Mahoning Valley travel to Albany this Saturday night to take on the division rival Albany Firebirds. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Mike Hold finishes his Thunder coaching career with an 11-26 record over two and a quarter seasons. Brennen Booth takes the reigns after beginning the season as Mahoning Valley's Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. Booth will continue to handle those duties as well as the Head Coaching responsibilities.
Booth is no stranger to the arena game. The Kennesaw State graduate spent the previous five seasons coaching in the Arena Football League, including the last three seasons with the Georgia Force. Booth's other AFL coaching stops were with the Nashville Kats and Carolina Cobras. In the AFL Booth has coached the Offensive and Defensive Lines, Fullbacks and served as Special Teams Coordinator. Booth also spent several seasons coaching at the college level, including a stint with at the University of Louisville.
All of the Mahoning Valley assistant coaches will remain on the staff along with the addition of Andy Kelly who will serve as the Offensive Coordinator. Kelly was a record setting Quarterback at both the University of Tennessee and in the Arena Football League. In 15 AFL seasons, Kelly finished his career 2nd all-time in passing yards, 1st in career pass attempts, 1st in pass completions and 4th in touchdown passes. Kelly is one of only four players to throw at least 800 touchdown passes in a football career.
THUNDER General Manager Adam Tokash:
"On behalf of the Mahoning Valley Thunder Organization, we would like to thank Mike Hold for his commitment to the team and the community over the past three years. The organization felt like we needed to make a change on the field in order to get things moving in the right direction. We feel confident that Coach Booth will have the team playing up to the expectations of both the community and the organization."
The Mahoning Valley Thunder's third season is under way! Don't miss your chance to feel all the hard-hitting, fast paced action of arena football! Individual game tickets are on sale now and start at just $12! For more information call the Thunder Offices at 330.758.4af2 (4232).
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