Gruden signs contract extension
Published on February 7, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 7, 2004) -- The Orlando Predators added another year to Jay Gruden's contract, signing the popular head coach to an extension that will keep him with the Predators through the 2006 Arena Football League season.
"Without question, this is great news for our entire organization," Predators Team President Brett Bouchy said. "The tremendous success we have enjoyed over the past six seasons can be directly traced to Jay Gruden as both a coach and player. We are delighted that he will be our Head Coach and Director of Football Operations through the 2006 season and hopefully beyond."
Gruden is in his second stint and fifth season as Predators Head Coach. He guided the team to a 43-23 mark from 1998-2001. During that time, the Predators appeared in the playoffs four consecutive years, made three straight ArenaBowl appearances and won the only two World Championships in franchise history (1998 and 2000).
He resigned after the 2001 season to return to the playing field. In two seasons at quarterback for the Predators, Gruden compiled a 20-9 overall mark as a starter and led the Predators to back-to-back appearances in the AFL semifinals. Gruden had an incredible regular season in 2003, going 10-0 as a starter with 49 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Those totals were even more impressive when it was learned that Gruden played the last six games of the regular season and two playoff games on a broken leg.
When the injury, which resulted in an eight-hour surgery, was added to the aftermath of the tragic automobile accident that claimed the life of former head coach Fran Papasedero, Gruden was elevated back to the position of head coach.
Gruden enters the 2004 season ranked ninth on the all-time AFL list for career coaching wins, but first among coaches with less than five years of experience. His .625 winning percentage in regular season games places him seventh on the all-time AFL list. Gruden ranks fourth on the all-time list in playoff coaching wins.
PREDATORS AIM FOR 10,000
LUCKY FAN TO CLAIM PRIZE PACKAGE
Closing in our their highest season ticket total in over a decade, the Orlando Predators announced a special award presentation that they hope will help the team cross the 10,000 mark in season tickets by the first home game against the Austin Wranglers on Feb. 13.
Through the close of business on Friday, the team has sold 9,300 season tickets for the 2004 season. During the past week, the Predators have averaged selling 100 season tickets per day. At that rate, the club could hit the 10,000 mark next week. When they do, the lucky fan purchasing the 10,000th season ticket is in for a treat.
The team has put together a prize package that includes two additional season tickets, two airline tickets to New York City on Jet Blue airlines, a set of Razor golf clubs, an autographed Orlando Predators helmet and free Subway Sandwiches for a year. *
The prize package is valued at more than $1,500. "Ten thousand season tickets is the benchmark for excellence in the Arena Football League," Bouchy said. "When we hit it this year, we want to recognize the fan that put us over the top."
*One free Subway Sandwich per week for an entire year.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 7, 2004
- VooDoo sign Hamilton, waive Holloway - New Orleans VooDoo
- Destroyers' comeback bests Firebirds - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- First Arena Football League game in Philadelphia Soul'd out - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators fall to Crush in season opener - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Dragons Kickoff: Dragons Open in Georgia - New York Dragons
- Gruden signs contract extension - Orlando Predators
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