Bob Cortese named head coach of the Wichita Stealth
Published on September 30, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Stealth named Bob Cortese (kor-TEEZ) head coach of the arenafootball2 (af2) team Monday afternoon at a press conference in downtown Wichita. Cortese becomes the second head coach of the team, who will begin their third af2 season in April. Cortese served as the Stealth director of football operations/offensive coordinator during the final 13 games of the 2002 season. In addition to his year with the Stealth in af2, Cortese brings four years of Arena Football League (AFL) experience to Wichita.
In Cortese's stint with the Stealth last season, the offense went from 34th in the league in scoring offense (19.5 points per game) to 31st (37.2 points per game), from 26th in total offense (208.5 yards per game) to 5th (267.3 yards per game), and in pass offense, the team improved from 23rd (188.5 per game) to 1st (254.7 yards per game). "Bob has shown the Stealth fans how offensive this game of arena football can be and we know he will continue that trend in 2003," said Mike McCoy, Stealth general manager.
Cortese served as the head coach of the now defunct Oklahoma Wranglers during the 2000 and 2001 AFL seasons, compiling a 13-17 overall record and one post-season appearance. The Wranglers faced the leagues toughest schedule in 2000 and made their way to the AFL quarterfinals. The Wranglers became the lowest seed ever (No. 10) to win an AFL playoff game, scoring an upset road win over the New England Seawolves in the first round, 52 to 38.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have a coach of his quality working for us," said Scott Gorsline, chief operating officer for DP Fox Sports and Entertainment, Operators of the Wichita Stealth. "He is a proven winner at every level of the game and is very well respected by the AFL coaching fraternity."
This will be Cortese's second tenure in the state of Kansas as a head coach. He served as head coach at NCAA Division II Fort Hays State University from 1990 to 1997. During his career at Fort Hays, Cortese took the Tigers to three playoff berths and amassed a record of 55-32-3 (0.628 winning percentage) during his eight seasons.
In 31 years as a head coach at the professional, collegiate, and high school levels, Cortese has claimed seven Coach of the Year awards. In addition to those honors, he has reached three state championship games and claimed one state title as a high school coach in Colorado, and spent two years as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Colorado (1977-78).
"I am very excited about the opportunity I have been given by the Stealth organization," said Cortese. "I am very committed to making this team a winner in af2."
As a player, Cortese was a first-team junior college All-American at Northeastern Junior College (1962-63) in Sterling, Colorado, before playing center and linebacker for the University of Colorado (1964-65).
Cortese's contract is still pending af2 approval, but Stealth officials foresee no problems. Cortese will make his af2 head coaching debut in April 2003. Season tickets are on sale now by calling the Stealth office at (316) 755-3307. For more ticket information log on to: www.wichitastealth.com.
arenafootball2 Stories from September 30, 2002
- Bob Cortese named head coach of the Wichita Stealth - Wichita Stealth
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.
