Dorados renew head coach Hammond's contract
Published on August 3, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
Hidalgo, Texas --- The Rio Grande Valley Dorados (af2) today announced that the club has renewed the contract of Head Coach Marty Hammond for the 2007 season.
Hammond led the Dorados to a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs in 2006, his first season as a head coach. A mid-season injury to starting quarterback Josh Kellett proved insurmountable for the team.
Dorados General Manager Grant Buckborough said stability was a determining factor in Hammond's contract renewal. "We've been through coaching changes each of the first three seasons," explained Buckborough. "Marty had a good first year and we look forward to having him grow with the organization. I'm sure in some regards it was a learning year for him, but I have no doubt he'll take this year's experience and put it to work in 2007."
Hammond, 32, took over the Dorados after serving as the Offensive Coordinator/Receivers Coach for Tennessee Valley from 2003-04 and receivers coach in 2002 under former Dorados coach Kevin Guy. His familiarity with the Dorados began in the 2005 preseason, when he assisted Guy as a training camp coach for the team. He began coaching in 1998 as an Assistant Coach at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Fla., then moved on as an Assistant Offensive Coordinator at Santaluces High School in Lantana, Fla., in 1999.
"I'm excited to come back for another season," said Hammond. "We ran into some injuries and adversity this year that we were not able to overcome, but it served as a valuable experience for me. It can only help me as we move ahead."
Hammond played wide receiver at the University of West Alabama from 1992-95, graduating in 1996 with a degree in computer science. As a freshman, he was named the Gulf Coast Conference Rookie of the Year after catching 39 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns. A native of Lexington, Ala., he was an All-State pick and MVP for Lexington High School.
"Marty is one of our rising young stars," said af2 President Jerry Kurz. "We're pleased and proud to have him in our league and to be with what we consider one of the crown jewels of af2. Coaches in af2 have an extremely tough job, in that they not only call the games, but have to teach the game as well. Marty fits that mold and will only get better as his career progresses."
The Dorados kick off their fourth season of af2 action in April.
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