Chicago Rush Coaches Earn League Recognition
Published on August 10, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Chicago Rush News Release
CHICAGO (August 10, 2011) - The Arena Football League announced Wednesday that Rush Head Coach Bob McMillen was named runner-up for the Head Coach of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding leadership as a rookie head coach in the 2011 season. Rush Offensive Coordinator Sherdrick Bonner was also named runner-up for the Assistant Coach of the Year honor.
"I would be hard pressed to find a coach who has done a better job than Bob," said President and General Manager Gene Nudo. "We only had three players back from our 2010 season and Bob worked around the clock to set this team up for success."
McMillen, who was runner-up to Arizona's Head Coach Kevin Guy, set a new Rush franchise record of 13 wins in a single season as rookie head coach. The former Rush FB/LB led the team to the National Conference Championship game this season and secured the Central Division Championship title. He also orchestrated a league leading defense and the fifth-ranked rushing attack in the AFL.
"It's a great honor to be recognized," said McMillen. "But most of the credit should go to my assistant coaches and players. Without their hard work and dedication I wouldn't even be on the list."
Following his successful playing career, in which he won three ArenaBowl rings with three different teams, he took over as the Fullbacks and Linebackers coach for the Rush during the 2008 season. In 2010, he served as Assistant Head Coach before being promoted to Head Coach for the 2011 season. McMillen has also been named as one of the 20 Greatest Players in AFL History.
"Congrats to Kevin on being named Coach of the Year," added McMillen. "It is a well-deserved award for such an amazing season."
Sherdrick Bonner also received runner-up recognition in his first season as offensive coordinator with the Rush. Despite this being his first season on the sideline Bonner was integral in the team's success.
"Bonner did an excellent job in his first year as a coach with the Rush," said Nudo. "We are really excited about the way he developed over the course of the season."
Before joining the Rush coaching staff, Bonner played as a quarterback in the AFL for 16 years. He spent 15 years with the Arizona Rattlers and ended his playing career with the Rush in 2008. He led the Rattlers to five ArenaBowl Championship games and captured the title twice. He was also voted to the 20 Greatest Players in AFL History.
"Sed [Sherdrick] has been around arena football for a long time and for his first year of coaching I think he did a tremendous job," said McMillen, Bonner's former teammate. "We can't wait to see how well he does next year."
Utah Blaze Offensive Coordinator Matt Sauk won the Assistant Coach of the Year award.
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