L.A. Avengers extend head coach Ed Hodgkiss' contract
July 25, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss has agreed to a contract extension, owner Casey Wasserman announced today.
Hodgkiss' new deal includes a four-year contract and an option for a fifth year, which would be the 2012 Arena Football League season.
"We are very pleased to lock up Ed Hodgkiss for the next few years and look forward to many seasons of top-notch football," said Wasserman, who is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group, LLC. "Ed has done an excellent job of establishing a solid foundation for the Avengers. We are just a couple of building blocks away from winning a championship and I have every confidence that Ed will get that done for us."
In six previous years at the helm, Hodgkiss has led Los Angeles to a 52-42 regular-season record, advanced to the AFL Playoffs five times and won one Western Division championship. He also has been the runner-up in the AFL "Coach of the Year" balloting twice (2003 and 2005).
Only three head coaches in the 21-year history of the AFL have won more than 52 regular-season games within their first six years in the league -- Darren Arbet (San Jose SaberCats [1999-2004], 64), John Gregory (Iowa Barnstormers [1995-2000], 55) and Jay Gruden (Orlando Predators [1998-2001, 2004-05], 55).
"I'm very grateful to Casey Wasserman for putting his trust in me," Hodgkiss said. "My goal is to win him and this city an ArenaBowl championship and I believe we are on the verge of doing that. During the offseason, we'll be looking to make some dynamic additions to our core group of players. Combining that with continuity within our coaching staff and the continued support of our growing fan base, we look forward to taking it to the next level."
Hodgkiss became the third head coach in Avenger history on Oct. 5, 2001, signing a three-year deal. Shortly after the 2002 season, which saw the rookie head coach adroitly pilot Los Angeles into the postseason for the first time in team history, Hodgkiss inked a contract extension that carried him through the recently completed 2007 season.
In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Hodgkiss led Los Angeles to 19 victories in his first two seasons (2002-03). At that point, no head coach in AFL history had won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss.
Under Hodgkiss' direction, the Avengers won 19 more games in their next two seasons (2004-05) and captured their first Western Division title in 2005.
After missing the playoffs in 2006, Los Angeles finished second in the Western Division this past season, compiling a 9-7 regular-season record before defeating the Utah Blaze, 64-42, at STAPLES Center to register the franchise's first postseason victory.
Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss had been with the Indiana Firebirds since 1997. He was the team's offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001). In each of those campaigns, Hodgkiss proved to be the architect of one of the AFL's most prolific offenses. While helping the Firebirds win the 1999 ArenaBowl world championship, Hodgkiss oversaw an offense that scored a league-high 58.7 points per game.
Born on Oct. 23, 1970, Hodgkiss is a native of Laurel, Md. He and his wife, Beth, reside in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
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