AFL Cleveland Gladiators

Gladiators Name Steve Thonn Head Coach

Published on December 23, 2009 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Gladiators are pleased to announce that owner JIM FERRARO has named arena football veteran STEVE THONN head coach for the 2010 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Thonn (pronounced: ton) brings over 20 years of arena football experience to Cleveland. As a wide receiver/defensive back, Thonn played six seasons in the Arena Football League with the Chicago Bruisers and Albany Firebirds from 1988-1993. He began his coaching career in 1994 with the Firebirds as wide receivers and specials teams coach.

Prior to joining the Gladiators, Thonn served as head coach and director of football operations for the AFL's Grand Rapids Rampage in 2008. In his lone season with the Rampage, Grand Rapids advanced to the American Conference Championship, falling one game shy of representing the American Conference at ArenaBowl XII in New Orleans. The Gladiators reached the National Conference Championship, falling to the eventual ArenaBowl XII champion Philadelphia Soul.

In 2008, the Rampage posted 956 total points and 59.5 points-per-game average, both franchise records, and ranked second best in the AFL behind only the 13-3 Philadelphia Soul. In Thonn's lone season, Grand Rapids posted the four highest single-game point totals this season (92 in Week 4; 84 in Week 5; 84 in Week 15; 86 in Week 17) and became the first team in AFL history to post four 80+ point games in a single season. Grand Rapids' 92-point outburst at Kansas City in Week 4 marked the highest total for a road team in AFL history and the second highest point total overall.

"We are very excited to be able to name Steve as head coach," Ferraro said. "Not only does he bring energy to the position, but he brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to our team. Bernie and I were both impressed with him and are anxious for him to start working towards the 2010 season."

Thonn's AFL coaching resume includes stops with the Georgia Force (offensive coordinator, 2005-07), Dallas Desperados (offensive coordinator, 2003-04), Houston ThunderBears (head coach, 1998-2001), Milwaukee Mustangs (offensive coordinator, 1996), Connecticut Coyotes (offensive coordinator, 1995) and the Albany Firebirds.

Be a part of all of the hard-hitting action as Arena Football returns to Quicken Loans Arena in 2010, when the Cleveland Gladiators take the field. Season ticket deposits are being accepted now by calling the Gladiators at 216.685.9000 or visiting www.clevelandgladiators.com.

HEAD COACH STEVE THONN TRANSCRIPT

(opening statement) - "First of all, I'm obviously excited to be back in arena football. It's been a long year and a half and I'm glad that arena football is going again. I would like to thank Jim (Ferraro) and Bernie (Kosar) for this great opportunity that they've given to me to be the head coach in Cleveland."

(on Bernie's involvement with the team) - "I know that Bernie was really helpful with the old staff and I've heard nothing but good things from them about him. Again, I'm just excited to work with him. What specific roles we'll all play - I'm not quite sure. I do know that he will be a great benefit to me and the staff this year."

(on what Cleveland can expect from a team coached by you) - "It is an offensive league, and we going to score points. You have to score touchdowns in this league. It is an offensive league and the rules kind of help the offense out a little bit. The one thing you can expect is that we should have a lot of fire power and put up a lot of touchdowns."

(on the type of coach he is) - "It's hard to say and you have to be careful of that question. People think that if you are a 'players' coach, you aren't strict or tough enough. I do work well with the players and their talents and what I have as a coach. I'm well organized and we are going to work hard and study film. I pay close attention to detail of the game. We will be a tough team."

(on the future of former Gladiators players) - "We are going to contact all of the former players that are still available. Some of the guys have already signed with other teams and some of the guys just can't play do to the structure of the league. They have decided to move on and we understand that. The guys that are still available and have the desire to play for the Cleveland Gladiators - we are going to talk to them as soon as we can. We'll see if we can get something worked out. I have not evaluated all of the players yet, but I will look at some a little closer. The guys who made a huge impact for the team in 2008 who are still available, we are going to contact."

(on if he has specific players in mind to fill key positions) - "The biggest thing is - you've got to have a good quarterback who knows the game. This is a quarterback driven league. I have talked with James MacPherson (former Grand Rapids QB) to see if he can play and we're going to talk to some other quarterbacks who have experience in the game. That is one position we'll look at. I think another key area we'll look at is the offensive and defensive lines. A line is the most relative thing in football. If you can't protect or rush the quarterback in our league, you'll be in trouble. We are really going to look at the line and get guys who can compete and also have experience. Obviously, we'll look at everything. You get more defensive back names or wide receiver names, and you get more options at those positions. Not that you don't want good ones, but you do get more options at those spots."

(on plans for a coaching staff) - "There are already guys that we've talked to. I've got a couple of guys in mind for a defensive coordinator/defensive back coaches that are interested. I'm not quite sure who is going to be on board, but I have talked to some guys that definitely have arena football experience and had great success too. Not only do I want guys in here with experience, but guys who have had success."

(on football in the city of Cleveland) - "I've heard all about the Cleveland fans and I know that they are very passionate about football. From high school to college and all the way to the Browns, the fans love football. I'm excited to be involved in that type of atmosphere and look forward to having those fans at the games."

(on if his offense will be just as explosive as he's had in the past) - "Absolutely."

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