Dragons Head Coach sets new AFL record
May 16, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
Dragons Head Coach Weylan Harding made AFL history after wrapping up the 2006 regular season with a 10-6 record, the same mark he recorded in 2005. Harding is now the first coach to record ten-or-more wins in each of his first two seasons as a head coach in the AFL. Overall, Harding has a record of 20-12.
Harding has managed to keep his team fighting this season despite plenty of adversity. The Dragons are making a trip to the playoffs for the second consecutive season even after losing two starting quarterbacks to season-ending injuries early in the year. Harding is currently the youngest head coach in the AFL at 34 years old, yet has proved that his age has no bearing on the results he can produce.
"That is a great accomplishment for him and the entire coaching staff. It shows the hard work and dedication he has for the team and the organization," said WR/LB Mike Horacek. "He is a great all-around coach."
This week, the Dragons host the Georgia Force in the First Round of the playoffs. The Force are coached by Doug Plank who is one of several coaches with 19 wins in their first two seasons. Plank recorded an 11-5 record in 2005 and an 8-8 record this season with the Force.
Before joining the Dragons in August 2004, Harding spent the three previous seasons as the Columbus/Buffalo franchise's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, where the 2003 team's defense finished as the top-ranked unit in the AFL. Prior to coaching, Harding was a defensive specialist for the Iowa Barnstormers (now the Dragons), Nashville and Portland, before retiring as a player with Buffalo in 2000.
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