SaberCats Name Church D-Coordinator
Published on April 18, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 18, 2002) â Former San Jose State University defensive coordinator Michael Church re-joined the San Jose SaberCats coaching staff being officially named the defensive coordinator of the two-time Western Division champions today. General Manager Terry Malley made the announcement.
"It's fun to be back," Church exclaimed. "I like all the coaches and the players. They're all hardworking, good guys to be around. In my opinion this is the best organization in the arena league."
Church rejoins the SaberCats after serving one season as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco Demons of the XFL in 2001.
"I didn't leave the SaberCats because I didn't enjoy coaching here," Church said, referring to his departure following the 2000 season. "I had a new opportunity to coach in a new league (XFL)."
San Jose tied a league record with 12 regular season victories and led the league in turnover margin and quarterback sacks in 2000 with Church as its secondary coach. San Jose also finished in the top six in five other defensive categories.
"Playing defense in this league is a chore in itself," noted Church. "If you hold a team to under 40 points in a game you've done a heck of a job."
Church was San Jose State's defensive coordinator under head coach John Ralston during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Following his stint with the Spartans, he entered the AFL coaching ranks as defensive coordinator with the Portland Forest Dragons. Church also served as linebackers coach at Cal for two years.
The SaberCats open their eighth season in the Arena Football League on Saturday, April 20, when they host Western Division rival the Arizona Rattlers in Compaq Center at San Jose. Tickets are available and may be purchased at any Northern California TicketMaster outlet or the Compaq Center ticket office.
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