Predators Head Coach Dies
June 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (June 20) -- Orlando Predators Head Coach Fran Papasedero, who guided the Predators to a league-best 12-4 record during the recently completed 2003 regular season, died late Thursday night in an automobile accident. Orlando Police said that Papasedero was killed when he lost control of his car and was ejected as it rolled over several times.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 23 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 6200 South Orange Blossom Trail. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A non-denominational prayer service begins at noon.
In lieu of flowers and cards, the family has asked that donations be sent to the "Fran Papasedero Memorial Trust Fund." Proceeds will benefit Fran's two-year-old daughter Vivian, who survives. Donations may be made to any Orlando branch of AmSouth Bank. Donations can also be mailed or dropped off to the Orlando Predators office. Checks should be made payable to the: Fran Papasedero Memorial Fund, c/o: Keli Davis, 4901 Vineland Ave., Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32811.
"Fran lived life to the fullest," Predators quarterback Jay Gruden said. "You always liked being around him because he would light up a room by just walking into it. It's going to be incredibly hard for this entire organization to overcome this tragedy. All we ask is for our fans and the Orlando Community to pray for Fran and his family."
"Off the field, Fran was a generous, caring and fun-loving man," said Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker. "But when it came to winning, he was as fierce a competitor as there was in the AFL. Our sympathies go out to Fran's family, the Orlando Predators, and to all those whose lives were touched by this great man. We are thankful for the impact he had on the game and our league. He will be deeply missed."
Papasedero, 34, replaced Jay Gruden as Predators Head Coach when Gruden returned to play quarterback for the Predators. Papasedero had served four years as an assistant under Gruden.
In two seasons at the helm, Papasedero has established himself as one of the top young coaches in the Arena Football League.
Papasedero guided the Predators to a 12-4 season in 2003 â securing a first round playoff bye for Orlando. Orlando would then defeat New York in the first round of the playoffs, before bowing out in the semifinals to Tampa Bay, 60-50.
Receiving votes for 2003 AFL Coach of the Year honors, Papasedero led the Predators to a three-way tie with Tampa Bay and San Jose for the best record in the Arena Football League despite having to start the season without his top two receivers (Siaha Burley and Clif Dell), star linemen BJ Cohen and Curtis Eason, and his top two fullbacks (Tommy Dorsey and Duke Pettijohn). In addition, he had to hold his team together when starting quarterback Jay Gruden was knocked out of commission for six weeks with a severe ankle injury.
"In addition to being a great guy, a loving father, and friend, I want all Arena fans to realize that Fran was also a great football coach," Team Captain Ernest Allen said. "He understood what we went through and he got the most out of us."
"There's no doubt in my mind that the Predators were destined to win a championship under Fran," Predators public relations director Dan Pearson said. "Our players responded to his leadership and even in defeat never gave up. We lost a great coach today, but more importantly we lost a great friend."
The 2003 success came on the heels of his 2002 rookie campaign, where the Predators overcame a slow start to capture a Southern Division championship and advance all the way to the Arena Football League semifinals.
As Predators Head Coach, Papasedero compiled a 22-13 record (.629). His 19-11 regular season record currently ranks 7th on the Arena Football League's all-time list for career winning percentage and fourth among active coaches (minimum of 10 victories).
Orlando's nine wins in his first season put Papasedero in some exclusive company. He was the only active AFL Head Coach in 2003 to win nine games in his first season and he joins former Tampa Bay Coach Fran Curci, former New Jersey Coach John Hufnagel, former Tampa Coach Lary Kuharich, and former Preds coaches Perry Moss and Jay Gruden as one of only six coaches in AFL history to post nine wins in their first season of coaching.
Papasedero began his Arena Football League career as a lineman for the Albany Firebirds in 1993. He would play five seasons, making stops at Massachusetts (1994), St. Louis (1995-96) and Nashville (1997). During his career, he had 105 tackles with 10.5 quarterback sacks. Offensively, he caught nine passes for 56 yards and a pair of touchdowns. After retiring as a player with Nashville in 1997, Papasedero began his coaching career in Orlando as Gruden's line coach. It was in that capacity that Papasedero earned a reputation for taking young players and molding them into outstanding AFL lineman. BJ Cohen, Rich McKenzie, Ernest Allen, Curtis Eason, EJ Burt and Jon McCall are just a few of the players to blossom under Papasedero's tutoring. In addition to his coaching duties, Papasedero worked for the Predators marketing department for two years during the off-season as a marketing representative.
During the course of his first three years, Papasedero added several off-the-field duties to his resume -- taking control of several day-to-day administrative duties. Prior to the 2001 season, Papasedero assumed the duties of Director of Player Personnel, Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. In his role as Director of Player Personnel, Papasedero handled scouting and player evaluations for Gruden.
In four seasons on the staff, Papasedero helped the Predators to a 43-23 record (.652 winning percentage), four trips to the AFL playoffs, three ArenaBowl appearances and a pair of world championships (1998 and 2000). Counting his four seasons as Gruden's Assistant, the Predators have compiled an overall record of 65-36 (.629).
Papasedero played four seasons at defensive tackle for Springfield College (Mass.), where he earned All-America honors and was named Male Athlete of the Year at Springfield as a senior. He attended NFL mini-camp with the New York Giants for two seasons (1992-93) and also went to training camp with the New York Jets in 1994. Papasedero holds a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Business Management. He was the father of a young daughter, Vivian (2).
REACTIONS TO THE DEATH OF PREDATORS HEAD COACH FRAN PAPASEDERO
"I remember passing him in the hall by the locker rooms many times and just saying a casual hello...and playing players favorite songs for warm-ups that I know Fran had passed along to allow the players to have some fun during pre-game preparations."
Tink Abraham
Preds Sound Man
"Fran touched many, many people in the best way possible, bringing happiness and pride to Orlando. He will be keenly missed."
Rich Kramer
Orlando Predator Fan
"Although I never had the opportunity to have personal contact with him, those who spoke of him, always did so in the highest regard. The Arena Football League will miss everything that he brought to the league on and off the field."
Greg Paddock
The Detroit Fury Arena Football
"Good Friend and former roommate. He is a great man, a gentle giant. He is like Superman to me, and I miss him already."
Dan Kilby
Good Friend & former college roommate
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Orlando Predators for your loss."
Joe Fellini
General Manager
Orlando Seals
"I hope that we all can take some measure of comfort from knowing that he accomplished so much and made such an impression throughout his time with us. He was a tremendous coach and leader, and will be greatly missed by his entire extended Predators family."
Keli Clark & Larry Smith
Season Ticket Holders
"Coach Fran Papasedero will be greatly missed!"
Kevin Snyder
Loyal Predators Fan
FRAN PAPASEDERO MEMORIAL TRUST FUND
A memorial fund has been established -- the "Fran Papasedero Memorial Fund."
Vivian (Fran's daughter) is the beneficiary of the funds.
Donations can either be made at any AmSouth Orlando Branch or donations can be mailed or delivered to the Orlando Predators Office, C/O of Keli Davis.
Checks should be made payable to:
Fran Papasedero Memorial Fund
4901 Vineland Ave.
Suite 150
Orlando, FL 32811
FRAN PAPASEDERO MEMORIAL SERVICE
Monday, June 23, 2003
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
6200 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32809
407-855-5391
Viewing 10 a.m. â 12 Noon
12 pm. Prayer Service
A memorial service will be held in Boston, MA at a later date. Arrangements: Community Funeral Home of Orlando, FL
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Fran Papasedero Memorial Fund to help support Fran's daughter Vivian. Donations may be made at any AmSouth Orlando branch or dropped off or mailed to the Orlando Predators office: Fran Papasedero Memorial Trust Fund, c/o Kelli Davis, 4901 Vineland Ave., Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32811
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from June 20, 2003
- Predators Head Coach Dies - Orlando Predators
- Playoff Picture Becoming Clearer for Horsemen - Kentucky Horsemen
- Talons Conducting Fan Survey at Saturday's Game - Tulsa Talons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
