Cleveland's Mike Wilpolt Named AFL Coach of the Year
Published on July 8, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - Cleveland Gladiators Head Coach MIKE WILPOLT was selected the 2008 Coach of the Year as voted by AFL head coaches, fans, players and the Arena Football League Writers Association, the League announced today.
Wilpolt guided the Gladiators (9-7, 2-0), to nine regular-season wins for the first time in six seasons, earning the team's first playoff berth since 2003 and a No. 4 seed in the National Conference playoffs. In 2007, the Gladiators were 2-14.
The Gladiators defeated the No. 2 seeded Georgia Force, 73-70, in the Divisional Round last night and will travel to the Wachovia Center to face the top-seeded Philadelphia Soul (14-3) in the National Conference Championship game on Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127). The game will be the Gladiators second appearance in an AFL Conference Championship and first since 1998.
Wilpolt's offense ranked third in rushing (495 yards) and fourth in total offense (4,843 yards). The Gladiators offense was powered by FB MARLION JACKSON, who led the AFL in rushing attempts (108), yards (356) and tied for the League lead in rushing touchdowns (23). WR OTIS AMEY led the AFL in scoring (302 points, 50 TDs) while QB RAYMOND PHILYAW ranked second in passer rating (124.5).
Wilpolt was named the Gladiators head coach on September 9, 2007 after spending two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Avengers.
Prior to joining Los Angeles, Wilpolt was named head coach of the Indiana Firebirds in Week 6 of the 2004 season, and led the Firebirds to an 8-3 record, finishing the season 8-8.
Wilpolt spent a total of six seasons with the Firebirds and was the special team's coordinator on the 1999 ArenaBowl XIII Championship team.
As an AFL player, Wilpolt spent four years in the league playing wide receiver/defensive back for the Charlotte Rage (1992), Las Vegas Sting (1994-95) and Anaheim Piranhas (1996).
Other coaches receiving votes included: Arizona's KEVIN GUY, Chicago's MIKE HOHENSEE and Philadelphia's BRET MUNSEY.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 8, 2008
- OurSports Central announces AFL Players of the Week - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- League Concludes Review of Dragons-Soul Final Play - AFL I
- League Concludes Review Of Dragons-Soul Final Play - AFL I
- Cleveland's Mike Wilpolt Named AFL Coach of the Year - AFL I
- Grand Rapids' Macpherson, San Jose's Floyd and Cleveland's Rue Earn Divisional Round Honors - AFL I
- Gladiators Head Coach Mike Wilpolt named 2008 AFL Coach of the Year - Cleveland Gladiators
- MacPherson Offensive Player of the Week after Playoff Win - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Preparing for Cleveland - Philadelphia Soul
- Conference Championship Games Set - AFL I
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.
