Alliance of American Football Unveils Mike Martz as Head Coach of Alliance San Diego
May 31, 2018 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
SAN DIEGO - Today, The Alliance of American Football introduced Alliance San Diego as its sixth city and unveiled Mike Martz as head coach. Alliance San Diego home games will be played at San Diego County Credit Union Stadium, host to San Diego State University Aztecs football, San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, and more. SDCCU Stadium is the only stadium ever to host both the Super Bowl and the World Series in the same year (1998). Fans looking to secure tickets early for the inaugural season can purchase season ticket seat deposits for $50 on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Thursday, May 31, at 11:00 AM PT on AAF.com or by calling (833) AAF-2019.
"From the moment Bill Polian and I began discussing our vision for The Alliance, a pro-football league founded on a commitment to players, fans and the game, San Diego was one of the first markets we discussed because of the city's love for the game," said Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO, The Alliance of American Football. "San Diego has a proven fan base that has displayed unwavering support and enthusiasm for their professional and collegiate football teams. 40,000 plus fans pour into SDCCU Stadium for Aztecs games; we're excited to bring more football here and become ingrained in this community."
He added, "There is a tremendous amount of football talent out there, and The Alliance represents an opportunity to begin, extend and/or revitalize professional careers. Mike Martz has first-hand experience in this regard, having fostered the growth of an undrafted, overlooked journeyman quarterback into a Super Bowl winning MVP. We look forward to creating similar stories."
From 1999-2005, Mike Martz led one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history, first as offensive coordinator (1999), then as head coach (2000-2005). Dubbed "The Greatest Show on Turf," The St. Louis Rams' number one ranked offense amassed the fourth highest point total in league history (526) and won Super Bowl XXXIV in Martz's first year with the team. Following the season, Martz took over as head coach. During his tenure, the Rams compiled a 56-36 record, winning two division titles, reaching the playoffs four times and securing a trip to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001.
"Mike is a Super Bowl champion with nearly 20 years of coaching experience at the professional level. We're excited for the city of San Diego and the coaches and players that will benefit from having someone with his pedigree at the helm," said Bill Polian, co-founder and head of football, The Alliance of American Football. "San Diego is hungry for top-flight football, and we're confident Mike is the right person to lead the way."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to get back on the sidelines in my hometown of San Diego. This city is very special to me. It's where I grew up, started my collegiate career and met and married my wife. I would love nothing more than to bring a championship here," said Mike Martz, head coach, Alliance San Diego. "The people of San Diego love football, and I'm committed to putting a product on the field that they will be proud to support."
Martz added, "The Alliance leadership share in that commitment. One of the many reasons I decided to take on this challenge was Charlie and Bill's commitment to putting high-quality football out on the field. I can't wait to get started."
After a successful run with the St. Louis Rams, Martz went on to serve as an offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. He retired from coaching on the professional level following the 2012 season. Since 2015, Martz has served as the head coach of the National Team for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which features some of the nation's top draft-eligible players. Martz's team has won in each of his four appearances as head coach.
Ticket pricing and seat locations for Alliance San Diego home games will be released later this summer. The Alliance has committed to making a limited number of $35 sideline seats available for purchase. These will be among the best seats in the house but will not be the least or most expensive available, as there will be tickets with pricing to accommodate every budget.
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Alliance of American Football Stories from May 31, 2018
- Alliance of American Football Unveils Mike Martz as Head Coach of Alliance San Diego - San Diego Fleet
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