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Duggan Named Head Coach, Sims To Take Post

February 21, 2006 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release

DAVID DUGGAN, a two-time World Bowl-winning defensive coordinator, has been named as head coach of the Cologne Centurions.

Duggan, who was due to begin his third season as defensive coordinator of the Centurions, has stepped up to replace previous head coach DARRYL SIMS, who is to accept a coaching position at an NFL team.

"This is the realization of a life-long dream and I am very grateful to the NFL Europe League for this opportunity," said Duggan. "[Former head coach] Peter Vaas has laid a great foundation in Cologne and I was a part of that building process. Now I want to take the team to the next level and win a World Bowl for the city of Cologne.

"Our players and coaches have responded wonderfully to this situation and we're working hard towards our ultimate goal this season - to win a championship."

Duggan, who had spells as a defensive assistant at five colleges before joining the NFLEL, won World Bowl rings in 2001 and 2002 as defensive coordinator of the Berlin Thunder, before moving to Cologne prior to the 2004 season. In each of his two seasons with the Centurions he coached his unit to the number one ranking in the league.

MIKE CHAN, NFLEL Director of Football Operations, said: "David has proved his coaching qualities during several successful seasons with the league. He knows the organisation, the players and the fans in Cologne and will do an outstanding job as head coach of the team. We wish Darryl all the best in his new position, details of which will be announced in the near future. It is an appointment that is a tribute to the quality of coaches in the NFL Europe League."

Sims said: "This was a tough decision because NFL Europe has been so good to me. I feel very good that Cologne is being left in extremely good hands with David Duggan. He's an excellent coach and will really do a great job for the Centurions."

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