Blast names new head coach for remainder of 2005-06 season
March 20, 2006 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Blast Owner Ed Hale announced today that the team has named Danny Kelly as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2005-06 regular season and postseason. Kelly, a 14-year veteran, will finish the season as player/coach. He replaces Tim Wittman who was suspended after a post-game incident in Stockton, Calif. over the weekend. Tarik Walker will remain the team's assistant coach.
"Under the circumstances, I believe that Danny Kelly is the team's best chance to progress through the remainder of the season, succeed in the playoffs and ultimately, win the championship," said Hale.
Kelly started his professional indoor soccer career with the Harrisburg Heat during the 1991-92 season and joined the Blast prior to the 1998-99 season. In eight seasons in Baltimore he has compiled 326 points (105 goals and 134 assists) and ranks sixth on the team's all-time scoring list. A three-time League All-Star, Kelly represented the Blast in the 2006 MISL All-Star Game and leads the team's defenders this season with 19 points (three goals, 19 assists). He ranks 20th on the League's all-time scoring list with 854 points in his career.
"It's unfortunate that the events that transpired cost us our coach for the rest of the year," Kelly said. "I hope to come in and keep us moving forward towards the playoffs and get us back on the winning track," Kelly said.
The MISL announced this afternoon that Wittman has been suspended for the remainder of the 2005-06 regular season and duration of the 2006 postseason. Wittman, a former player for the original Blast, joined the team as assistant coach prior to the 2003 MISL Championship. He went on to coach the team to the 2004 MISL Championship and has led the Blast to a 15-10 record thus far this season.
The Blast (15-10, third place in the MISL) has just five games remaining in the regular season. The team will host the California Cougars this Friday night at 7:35 then will host the Philadelphia KiXX this Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Friday night is bobble head night and the first 2,000 fans who enter 1st Mariner Arena will receive a free Lee Tschantret bobble head. Single-game tickets for the remaining Baltimore Blast 2005-06 regular season games are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office and at all TicketMaster outlets including TicketMaster phonecharge at 410-547-SEAT. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 20, 2006
- Cougars forward named MISL offensive player of the week - California Cougars
- Steamers weekly - St. Louis Steamers
- Steamers Keeper Receives MISL Goalkeeper of the Week - St. Louis Steamers
- Schmidt picks up Defensive Player of the Week honors - Milwaukee Wave
- MISL Names Players of the Week - MISL 2
- Blast names new head coach for remainder of 2005-06 season - Baltimore Blast
- KiXX prepares for second consecutive back-to-back weekend - Philadelphia KiXX
- MISL Statement Regarding Events Following the Baltimore Blast @ California Cougars Match on March 18 - MISL 2
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