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Rush Hires Ernesto Purnsley As Defensive Line Coach

August 20, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) - Chicago Rush News Release


The Chicago Rush has hired Ernesto Purnsley as its new defensive line coach, the team announced today.

Purnsley, a veteran assistant coach with 10 years of experience in the Arena Football League, comes to Chicago after spending the last five seasons as the defensive coordinator with the Colorado Crush.

"I am excited about Coach Purnsley joining our staff," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He has a wealth of Arena Football experience, including a championship under his belt (2005), and understands what it takes to be successful. He also is a seasoned veteran when it comes to finding and developing personnel."

"I am glad to join the Rush organization," said Purnsley. "When you talk about the top teams in the AFL, the Chicago Rush is consistently one of the teams you have to mention. After speaking with Coach Hohensee and the other members of his staff I feel good about the future and the direction the program is going in Chicago."

Prior to his time in Colorado, Purnsley had two stints as an assistant coach with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds, serving as the special teams coach and fullback linebackers coach from 1997 to 1998, and again from 2000 to 2003. In 1998, Purnsley and Hohensee worked together on the same coaching staff, when Hohensee spent the season as the Firebirds offensive coordinator.

Purnsley began his coaching career in 1991 as the wide receivers coach at Concord College in Athens, W.Va. He also has held assistant coaching positions at Southern Illinois (1994-96), Charleston Southern University (1997) and Murray State University (1998-99).

Purnsley was born at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, before his family settled in Southern Pines, N.C. He played both quarterback and wide receiver at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. before graduating in 1990 and beginning his coaching career.

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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.

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