Gene Nudo Hired as Rattler Head Coach
September 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Drive News Release
PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League have named General Manager Gene Nudo head coach, the team announced at the Rattler press conference today.
"We are excited to have the chance to have such an experienced individual take on this position," said owner Bobby Hernriech. "Gene is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about this game. I have full confidence that he is the right person to take our team to where we want to go."
Nudo, who has been with the Rattler organization for 12 years, started as an assistant head coach in 1995 after serving as the Arena Football League's Vice President of Football Operations. He was named Vice President of Administration of the Rattlers the following season (1996).
The 2002 AFL Hall of Fame Nominee also served as the team's Vice President of Operations before becoming general manager last season. While overseeing operations, Nudo helped the Rattlers earn five consecutive commissioner awards for the AFL's "Best Organization" (1996-2000) while earning an unprecedented three "Executive of the Year" awards (1997, 1999, 2000).
Nudo currently serves as the chairman of the AFL's Rules and Competition Committee and is a member of the league's executive committee.
"I am looking forward for the opportunity to help this team on the field in addition to in the front office," said Nudo. "I believe I can help this team get back to where they belong on the field."
A true pioneer in the AFL, Nudo coached the first-ever Arena Football games in Rockford, Ill. (1986) as well as it's "Showcase Game" in Rosemont, Ill. (1987). He would later serve as the Director of Player Personnel and assistant coach for the Chicago Bruisers (1987-88), helping guide them to a berth in ArenaBowl II.
In his 12 seasons at the team level, Nudo's franchises have competed in five ArenaBowls, winning one with the Rattlers in 1997.
Nudo began his coaching career in 1981 as head coach of the River Grove Cowboys of Chicago's Metropolitan Football League. He won five championships in six seasons, including the 1984 AFA Semi-Professional National Championship in Mobile, Ala. He would later lead Chicago's Driscoll Catholic High School to an undefeated 1991 Illinois State High School Championship. His overall record as a head coach is 97-21-1.
Born on April 13, 1958, Nudo is a native of Chicago, Ill., where he attended Ridgewood High School. He played at Triton Community College before majoring in Speech Communications at Illinois State University.
"My goal is to retain many of the free agent players that played for the team last year," Nudo said. "I was proud of the way the team played, particularly down the stretch last season."
The Rattlers have an all-time record of 148-74 in fourteen seasons of play in the AFL. They made 12-straight postseason appearances before missing the playoffs for just the second time in history last year.
The franchise will kick off their 15th season in the 20-year-old Arena Football League in January of 2006. Rattler season tickets, which include all eight games played at America West Arena, can be purchased by calling 602-514-8300.
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