Memo
June 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
To: GM, AFL Expansion Team
Fr: Dan Pearson, Orlando Predators
Re: Head Coach Fran Papasedero
Dt: June 19, 2003
I'm not sure I totally approve of your timing on the matter, but since we can't appeal to the Commissioner, I wanted to offer my congratulations on acquiring Fran Papasedero as the Head Coach of Heaven's new Arena Football League expansion franchise. You have got a good man and we have lost one.
In order to help make the transition a smooth one, I thought you might want to be aware of a few things....
1. Expect Excellence: Whatever new players you end up signing up there, you better tell them to strap it on. Coach Fran doesn't have a lot of rules for his guys. He treats them like men...He will demand respect and total effort from his players and will accept nothing short of it. Just tell them to play hard, give the honest effort, and never quit. Everything will be okay.
2. This Isn't Vince Lombardi's Training Camp. Your team's accounting department might not approve, but plan on setting a couple extra places on the team training table. If a friend or family member shows up, know right now that Fran is going to invite them to the pre-game meal. Oh, he might insist that he be allowed to have your team trainer or PR Guy take his kid on a road trip or two each season. Family is important to him. And he's going to need a couple extra tickets (100 or so will probably be good) to all home and road games. He has a lot of friends to take care of and taking care of those friends is what Fran is all about.
3. Don't Take It Too Seriously: Winning is important, but you really don't need to worry about that too much. Fran will win for you. But remember that things probably won't be too serious around the football offices and Coach is probably not going to watch 12 hours of film a day getting ready for your next opponent. Most likely, his pre-game speech will be hysterical but it probably won't make a lot on sense. Don't worry about it -- that's just his style and it works for him.
4. Player Relationships. Okay, I know the book says that the head guy can't get too close to the players because it jeopardizes that player/coach relationship. You can throw that notion out too. It's impossible to be around Fran for a few minutes and and not feel close to him. They are not his players...they are his brothers and friends and that's the way it is going to be.
5. He Will Have Your Back: I have to be honest with you. If you slash Fran's football budget, he's going to bark at you. If you ask him to try to sell a team sponsorship to two even though it's not his job, you are going to get the sarcastic comments. If the shirt you're wearing doesn't meet his clothing standards, he's going to ask you if you looked in the mirror this morning before you left the house...and finally, if you say something stupid, and you are going to get the "Papa" stare...but always remember...he'll always have your back. When your players and staff understand that, I know they will love him like our guys did.
6. Let Him Work the Crowds: Okay, so you have a few billions souls up there who don't know anything about Arena Football. Turn Fran loose on them. He'll convert them.
7. Give Him a Long Term Contract: Hey...we only had him for six years total and only two seasons as a head coach. That's entirely too short a time. If I were you, I would look into a long -term contract. It would be in your best interests to do so.
I hope this helps. When you see him at practice tomorrow, tell him that we love and miss him. Thank-you.
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- Memo - Orlando Predators
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