Ignition Name Matt Johnson Head Coach
October 17, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Detroit Ignition News Release
(Southfield, Mich., October 17, 2008) - The Detroit Ignition have named veteran defender Matt Johnson Head Coach, the club announced today. Johnson has been a member of the Ignition since its inaugural 2006-07 campaign, and has served as the club's assistant coach for two seasons. Brighton resident Droo Callahan will step into Johnson's former role as player/assistant coach. Per club policy, financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
"Matt has brought an invaluable amount of leadership to our team over the past two seasons," Ignition Vice President of Business Operations Lindsey Gamrod said. "He has a great coaching mind and relates well to the players, and we're thrilled to welcome him into this new position."
Johnson began his professional indoor soccer career with the San Diego Sockers in 2002-03. He ranked fifth on the Ignition last season in blocks with 21. The defender scored a pair of two-point goals and notched two assists in 28 regular-season games. Johnson, who played collegiate soccer for the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, resides in Canton with his wife, Katie.
"I'm very excited - it's a great opportunity for me," Johnson said. "I'm looking forward to continuing the winning tradition that's developed over the past two years here in Detroit."
Callahan, an active member of the Michigan soccer community, represented Detroit on the All-MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) First Team after posting 62 blocks during the 2007-08 season. He ranked fourth on the team in scoring last season with 62 points, and scored a franchise-high six three-point goals during 30 regular season games. Callahan, who was a member of the now-defunct Detroit Rockers from 1998-2001, resides in Brighton with his wife, Amy and daughter, Allison.
The Detroit Ignition is a charter member of the Xtreme Soccer League, and begins the team's third season in December 2008 after completing the 2007-08 season as regular-season champions of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Information regarding Ignition season, group, and individual tickets can be obtained by calling the club at 1-888-436-GOAL (4625), by visiting the team's official Internet property, www.detroitignition.com, by calling TicketMaster at 248-645-6666, or by using www.ticketmaster.com.
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