Avengers hire Michael Church as new defensive coordinator
September 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Michael Church, who has been with two ArenaBowl world championship teams over the course of his nine seasons in the Arena Football League, has signed a two-year contract to be the Los Angeles Avengers' new defensive coordinator, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Church replaces Mike Wilpolt, who was announced as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators yesterday. Wilpolt was the Avenger defensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
"Michael Church is well known for getting the most out of his players," said Hodgkiss, who signed a five-year contract extension on July 25. "He'll bring a tough attitude to our defense and a great deal of experience to our coaching staff. I believe his wealth of contacts in the coaching world and previous experience recruiting players will help us right away. In addition, he knows our division very well, having coached at San Jose and Arizona, which hopefully helps us with our first goal every year ... to win the Western Division."
Church, who has 34 years of coaching experience, spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Rattlers. In 2006, he led an Arizona defense that was ranked third in the AFL in total defense (269.4 yards allowed per game) and fourth in passing defense (248.9). Last season, the Rattlers led the league in rushing defense (10.3).
"It's an honor to be joining a first-class organization like the Avengers," Church said. "I've coached teams that have played against the Avengers so many times and have always enjoyed competing against them. I really feel comfortable in this new situation and look forward to bringing my aggressive style of defense to Los Angeles."
Prior to joining Arizona, Church served as defensive coordinator of the San Jose SaberCats for four seasons (2002-05). In 2002, the SaberCats led the AFL in turnover margin (+14) and were second in quarterback sacks (18) on their way to winning San Jose's first ArenaBowl world championship. After reaching the semifinals in 2003, the SaberCats won another ArenaBowl title in 2004. During that strong three-year run (2002-04), San Jose was the only team in the AFL to hold opposing quarterbacks to a sub-100 passer rating in all three seasons (95.9, 95.8 and 98.7). In addition, Church's defensive unit topped the league in interceptions and interceptions returned for touchdowns in both 2003 and 2004.
Prior to becoming the SaberCat defensive coordinator, Church was the team's secondary coach in 2000. After his first season in San Jose, he went on to become defensive coordinator for the San Francisco Demons of the XFL in 2001, before returning to the SaberCats in 2002.
Church began his associating with the AFL in 1997, when he served as the defensive coordinator of the Portland Forest Dragons for two seasons. In 1999, he briefly left the AFL to become the defensive coordinator at DeAnza Junior College (Cupertino, Calif.).
After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Church began his coaching career in 1973, as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska under head coach Tom Osborne, who was in his first season in Lincoln. After three seasons with the Cornhuskers, Church moved on to spend time as an assistant coach at Washington State University (1976-78), the University of California (1979-80) and Northwestern University (1981-82).
He got his first taste of professional football in 1983, when he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the USFL's Denver Gold. Then, Church returned to the college game, serving as an assistant at Brown University (1984-85), the University of Texas El Paso (1986-88) and the University of Missouri (1989-90).
In 1991, Church returned to his alma mater and spent three years as a defensive coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1991-93). He ventured overseas in 1994, spending one season as an assistant for the Munich Thunder of the short-lived Football League of Europe.
Church returned to the United States in 1995, serving as the defensive coordinator at San Jose State University for two seasons (1995-96), before beginning his career in the AFL.
Born on Nov. 15, 1949, Church resides in Los Gatos, Calif., with his wife, Anh-Dao Nguyen-Church, and son, Kol. His daughter Kasey lives in Sacramento, with her husband, Josh Brown, who is an assistant football coach at Sacramento State.
This past season, the Avengers finished second in the Western Division, compiling a 9-7 regular-season record before defeating the Utah Blaze, 64-42, at STAPLES Center to register the franchise's first postseason victory.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 7, 2007
- Avengers hire Michael Church as new defensive coordinator - Los Angeles Avengers
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