AIFL's Erie Freeze Name Esposito General Manager/Head Coach
December 1, 2004 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Freeze News Release
(Erie, PA-November 30, 2004) In an area of the Great Lakes formed by the remnants of the last great Ice Age, a glacier of a football presence will forge the future of the newest professional sports team in Erie, Pennsylvania, starting in 2005.
The Erie Freeze of the newly formed Atlantic Indoor Football League is extremely proud to announce the appointment of Mike Esposito as Head Coach and General Manager of the football club.
Football publications describe Esposito as a "unique blend of football savvy and passion." A combination of an eye for talent akin to Bill Polian and a coaching intensity reminiscent of Bill Cowher, "Espo" brings a wealth of football experience to Erie.
Most recently an independent talent coordinator, Esposito was last head coach of the Cincinnati Swarm of the Arenafootball 2 league. Esposito garnered the position after righting the floundering ship of the AF2's Rochester Brigade.
Esposito coached the Brigade to a 1-1 record to close out the 2003 campaign. With only a bye week bootcamp under his team's belt, the Brigade lost a heartbreaking near upset of the eventual Northeast Division champion Albany Conquest. One week later, Esposito's crew finished the season with a dramatic 41-38 last second, come from behind win to eclipse the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers.
Esposito brings to Erie a wealth of indoor football experience. In 2001, he was the defensive coordinator for the Washington Shockwave of the National Indoor Football League. In 2002 and 2003, Esposito served as the defensive coordinator and co-general manager for the Rapid City Red Dogs of the NIFL.
A native of Lockport, New York, prior to coaching in indoor football Esposito coached at the collegiate ranks. In 2000, Esposito was the defensive coordinator at the University of Laverne. The Southern California school finished first in its division with the fewest yards against that season. From 1998 to 2000, Esposito coached at West Hills College in California.
Esposito, an All-High selection in Buffalo, New York, first gained head coaching experience at Eagle Grove High School in Eagle Grove, Iowa, before moving to Louisville's Holy Cross High School. In 1995, Esposito moved to Vernon, Alabama, to serve as head coach at the prestigious Lamar High School. Esposito entered the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Chardon State College in Nebraska from 1990-93.
If any potential Freeze fan has any question about Esposito's intensity level and the amount of fire he expects from his players, it may be answered in the Coach/GM's alter-ego. When not patrolling the sidelines, he walks his beat around the "squared circle" as the National Wrestling Alliance's "Repo Man."
He is married to the former Amy Jensen.
Esposito promises the football fans of Erie a fantastic product on and off the field. "Erie is a great football town with roots in the professional, college, and high school ranks. We're looking to bring in players that are proud to be in Erie, PA and wear the colors of our team and our town."
Esposito added, "I want guys in here that you'll be proud to wear their names and numbers on your jersey and have your kids get an autograph from, but on the field will terrorize opponents."
Informed during a recent visit that Erie was once known as "Stumptown" due to the fact that, by law, adult males were required to remove three tree stumps from town every Saturday, Espo replied, "Man, am I in the right town!"
The team will play in the 7,000-seat Louis J. Tullio Arena at the Erie County Civic Center complex.
The Atlantic Indoor Football League is the hottest new professional football league and will kickoff its inaugural season April 1, 2005. For more information about the AIFL, visit www.aiflonline.com or contact Joey Josephs, Director of Media Relations, by phone at (407) 695-7137 or by e-mail at jjosephs@aiflonline.com.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from December 1, 2004
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
