Roughnecks Sign New (Old) Coach
March 8, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
Calgary, AB - Jeff Dowling, who was the Roughnecks' defensive co-ordinator until the end of last season, is returning to the team as Head Coach.
He replaces Chris Hall, the Riggers only bench boss since Calgary entered the National Lacrosse League in 2001.
Until now, Dowling has been Assistant General Manager and Director of player Personnel with a newcomer to the NLL, the New York Titans.
Hall was released by Calgary February 23, immediately following an embarrassing 9-12 home loss to the Toronto Rock. It was the Riggers third loss in five games in the friendly confines of the Saddledome.
Twenty-four hours later, the Riggers flew into Toronto and hammered the Rock 17-13. General Manager Kurt Silcott assumed the mantle of Head Coach that night because senior assistant coach, Kevin Alexander, quit on hearing of Hall's dismissal.
But now it will be Dowling who will lead the Roughnecks in their quest for a second Champion's Cup.
Coincidentally, when Dowling first joined the club in February, 2004, its record was a dismal 4-4. His mandate was to shore up the defence, and with his help the team went on to capture the NLL's
symbol of supremacy, the Champion's Cup.
The Riggers current record is a less than stellar 5-4, but Dowling still believes the team has the personnel to take a serious second run at the NLL championship.
"I have not able to see the Roughnecks in person this year," he said, "but I have watched them on video and have been really impressed by a couple of the new faces I see there. They fit in well with the talented core of veterans that Calgary has had for a few years, and I firmly believe this is a championship calibre team."
Kurt Silcott, the Roughnecks General Manager, said: "We are extremely pleased that Jeff is back in the fold as Head Coach of this team.
"He has an intimate knowledge of the players and the dynamics of this team and has worked well with everyone here in the past."
Silcott added, "We've set his goals high and he has accepted that challenge with open arms."
Silcott also thanked the Titans for their co-operation in making Dowling available.
"Not every team would allow us to talk to their employees, but New York was very accommodating in that regard," he said.
Dowling will start on the bench in Arizona on March 16 in what is an extremely important game for the organization. Colorado at 9-1 is expected to top the West Division, with Calgary (5-4) and Arizona (6-3) duking it out for second place and a coveted home play-off game.
Dowling, 39, lives in Ancaster, Ontario, with his wife and three children, Miranda (8), Jaden (5) and Kayla (5). Outside of lacrosse, he is regional sales manager for San Diego-based DriveCam.
"I loved my time in Calgary," said Dowling. "The problem was that between my regular job and the Roughnecks, I hardly got to see my family.
"I'm well aware that distance is still a problem, but Kurt and I have agreed that we'll complete this season and then decide if other arrangements can be agreed upon."
Dowling said he enjoyed his involvement with the fledgling Titans.
"I enjoyed working with Head Coach Adam Mueller," said Dowling," and as we had drafted well, we had a good team that I think can go far."
But then came news of Hall's ousting, followed by calls from managers, coaches and players around the NLL suggesting the Calgary job was a natural fit for him.
"Until then I had not thought much about it," he said, "and I also had to take into consideration that Chris (Hall) is a friend of mine. I did not want to hurt him.
"Then I got a phone call from Kurt (Silcott) and from there things progressed pretty quickly. I spoke to my family, they gave me my support, so Calgary here I come!"
The NLL trade deadline is March 20 and Dowling said he and Silcott will be talking to decide if any changes to the team should be made before that date.
"Every team is looking to improve," said Dowling, "and if there's an opportunity for us to upgrade, we'll certainly look at it. But with every team in the NLL in a dogfight for a playoff spot, I don't see any major shake-ups."
Dowling will spend this weekend at the NLL All-Star game in Portland, and will not meet up with his new charges until next Thursday (March 15) in Phoenix.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 8, 2007
- "Learn-2-Play Lax" Day March 17 - San Jose Stealth
- Black 47 to Play Titans Halftime Show on St. Patty's Day - Orlando Titans
- Roughnecks Sign New (Old) Coach - Calgary Roughnecks
- School House Rock program already a success this season - Toronto Rock
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.
