Steve Thonn to coach Gladiators

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NatePreds05
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Steve Thonn to coach Gladiators

Post by NatePreds05 » Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:41 pm

By Dennis Manoloff
December 22, 2009, 4:35PM

CLEVELAND -- Former Grand Rapids Rampage coach Steve Thonn has been hired to coach the Cleveland Gladiators, a source close to the situation said. An official announcement is expected Wednesday.


The Gladiators are part of Arena Football 1, a league that begins play in the spring.


Thonn (pronounced: ton) is considered one of the indoor game's brightest offensive minds. He went 6-10 in his first year as coach of the Rampage in 2008. Grand Rapids advanced to the American Conference Championship.


The Rampage and the rest of the Arena Football League, including the Gladiators, ceased operations after the 2008 season. The Gladiators played one AFL season in Cleveland, going 9-7 and reaching the National Conference Championship under coach Mike Wilpolt. Wilpolt was named AFL coach of the year.


Wilpolt had declined to be considered for the opening with the Gladiators of Arena Football 1.


Thonn could not be reached Tuesday.

In 2008, the Rampage's 956 points and 59.5 points per game -- both franchise records -- were second-best in the AFL behind eventual champion Philadelphia. Grand Rapids became the first team in AFL history to post four games of 80-plus points in a season.

From 2005 through 2007, Thonn was offensive coordinator of the AFL's Georgia Force, which went 33-15 in the regular season and made two National Conference Championship appearances and reached ArenaBowl XIX.

During Thonn's time with the Force, his offense routinely set team records and several of his players set individual, team and league records. In 2007, the Force led the AFL with 145 touchdowns and posted the third-highest points total (1,007) in league history.

From 1998 through 2001, Thonn served as head coach of the AFL's Houston ThunderBears, who went 18-38 and made one playoff appearance.


Thonn's arena-football experience dates to his years as a wide receiver/defensive back with the Albany Firebirds (198 8) and Chicago Bruisers (1990-1993).

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Great hire by Cleveland.

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