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Murray Relieved of Head Coaching Duties

May 27, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league have relieved Doug Murray of his duties as Head Coach, Lightning president Dan Chapman announced today. The Lightning immediately filled the vacancy and named Chad Carlson as Interim Head Coach. Carlson takes over the team's on-field matters effective immediately.

"Doug has been with our football organization since day one and we greatly appreciate the leadership and contributions he has made to our team throughout his tenure here," said Chapman. "Doug is a football man through and through and is a good football coach. We've made numerous changes this season and we are committed to continue putting the right pieces in place to improve our football product on the field."

Chapman also addressed the requirement to improve offensively and how Carlson fits the Lightning need:

"Chad is a very innovative and creative offensive mind and we feel this addition and his expertise is what is needed at this time to improve our team," said Chapman. "We're confident that Chad will bring an added element of offensive football to our team that should enable us to compete more consistently in the af2."

Carlson, 36, is the third Head Coach in Lightning history and enters his third af2 head coaching venture after serving as General Manager/Head Coach for the Hawaiian Islanders (2002) and Head Coach of the Bossier City Battle Wings (2003), compiling an overall record of 6-12 before moving on to serve as a Volunteer Coach for the Arena Football League's Coloardo Crush for the remainder of the 2003 season. Carlson, who guided Hawaii to a 4-1 finish in the 2002 season after inheriting the team in the middle of the season, helped the Islanders finish second in the league for red zone offense (83.1 percent), tied for 10th in total offense (4,126 yards) and rank as the af2's leader in rushing offense (852 yards).

After Carlson inherited the Islanders offense that averaged 38 points per game through five contests, his offense went on to score an average of 50.4 points per game and finish 13th in af2 scoring offense.

Following two separate stints in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos (1994) and Ottawa Rough Riders (1996), the Portland, Oregon native spent the 1997 season with the AFL's Portland Forest Dragons as a wide receiver/defensive back and quarterback and was slated to sign with the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL in 2000, but had his career cut short with a career-ending knee injury that he sustained during an indoor football campaign in 1999.

Carlson was a standout receiver at Lewis & Clark College (NCAA) and was named an NAIA All-American as a 1993 senior, leading the nation in yards per catch while creating accolades that still shine in Pioneer lore. Carlson's 209 receiving yards amassed in a game against Central Washington was the second-best single game output in program history and he ranked 13th on Lewis & Clark's all-time list for receptions at the time of his exit.

"I realize when teams are going through struggles, it comes down to bringing someone from outside and make corrections from a critical standpoint and I'm happy to be the person tabbed by the organization to do it," said Carlson. "I've watched a couple of this team's games this season and I'm positive there needs to be only a few minor adjustments to get us on the right track."

Carlson also explained the foundation of his coaching philosophy:

"I have personal goals to get the team pointed in the right direction and I'll give something called tough love," said Carlson. "Being an af2 player might being the most difficult job in football. You're selling out your body like an NFL player and aren't making as much money so you need to play the game with a tremendous amount of pride. The object is to get these guys to understand why they're here. Although the record doesn't show it, they've been working hard and the opportunity to build on that is one of reasons why I'm coming down here."

Murray leaves after compiling a combined record of 8-17 in two seasons (2007-08) as Head Coach. The Lightning are 2-7 this season, ranking fifth in the af2's West Division and are 29th in the af2 for scoring offense (30.2 points per game), 28th in touchdowns scored (38) and 27th in total offense (206 yards per game).

Carlson makes his debut as new Lightning head coach when the team returns to play with a Week 10 road matchup against the Spokane Shock, beginning at 8:00 p.m. from Spokane Arena on Saturday, May 31. The game be heard on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and viewed online, free-of-charge, through www.stocktonlightning.com (courtesy of NifTy Online TV).

Group tickets and individual tickets for the 2008 Lightning regular season are on sale now. For more information on season tickets, merchandise, or other information, please call the Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonlightning.com.



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