Hartford Colonials Owner Bill Mayer Comments on UFL Team's Head Coaching Vacancy
February 17, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
On Chris Palmer becoming Offensive Coordinator of the Tennessee Titans:
"I certainly celebrate his move. I talked to Chris at some length before he made his decision, and it was a difficult decision. As somebody told me, the past is the past, and I can't change it. I wish him the best."
On the appointment of a new head coach ahead of the 2011 season, having met with UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue.
"We are looking for a head coach who to some degree, has some of the same traits that Chris had. There's quite an element of teaching, and the concept of teaching is really important to help them develop on the field and off the field. It's highly likely the person will carry the title of coach and general manager."
On a prospective new coach having ties to the Hartford area:
"It's a little part of the deal. When we came to Hartford, Chris' ties to the community were very important, and they would continue to be important. That factor, on the list of the top 10, is a little lower than it was. Overall, it's important, but slightly less so since we've spent a season in Hartford. On balance, if you have some local ties, that would be great."
On the Colonials being linked with Hartford native Eric Mangini as a potential head coach:
"He is one of the people we would hope to talk to. What comes out of that, I don't know. I've been looking at our Facebook site, and it certainly has generated a lot of conversation. He's a Connecticut native and he's had experience. Whether we end up doing anything with him or not, we haven't sat down yet, so it's not at all clear whether this timing would work for him.
"That doesn't mean we're in negotiations or that he's going to be the next coach, but he's certainly on the list."
On the 2011 UFL season:
"On the field, I don't think there's any doubt that we'll be able to attract good football players. All of the players understand that this is not only a way to get exposure for possibly going to the NFL, but it's also quite high-caliber football. Off the field, I think what will happen is we will be able to get into our communities with more local control, and develop a brand. It's a multi-year process. I'm pretty optimistic."
Chris Palmer, a Brewster, N.Y. native, rejoined the NFL coaching ranks following his one-year stint in the UFL with the Colonials. He joins a list of former UFL coaches who have been hired by NFL teams in recent weeks. The group includes Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who led the Florida Tuskers to the 2010 UFL championship game.
In 2010 Palmer led the Colonials to a 3-5 regular season record and defeated the eventual UFL champion Las Vegas Locos 27-14 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford in his final game in charge. The Colonials had more players signed to active rosters and practice squads of NFL teams following the 2010 season than any other UFL team.
In addition to Palmer, three Colonials assistant coaches - Kevin O'Dea (Chicago Bears), Tony Sparano Jr. (Miami Dolphins) and Todd Washington (Baltimore Ravens) - were hired by NFL teams in recent weeks, and former Colonials Defensive Coordinator Osai Lewis joined the coaching staff at San Diego State.
United Football League Stories from February 17, 2011
- Hartford Colonials Owner Bill Mayer Comments on UFL Team's Head Coaching Vacancy - Hartford Colonials
- Nighthawks Name Brandon Noble Defensive Line Coach - Omaha Nighthawks
- Nighthawks DB Coach Tresey Named Defensive Coordinator at UCLA - Omaha Nighthawks
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