Steeldogs Hire Ron Selesky as New Head Coach
October 5, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Steeldogs announced today the hiring of Ron Selesky as the team's new head coach for 2006.
Selesky earned af2 Coach of the Year honors in 2002, guiding the expansion Albany Conquest to a regular-season mark of 13-3 and a Northeast Division title. He spent the 2001 season as the head coach of the Louisville Fire, leading the team to a 6-10 mark.
"We are extremely optimistic having Ron as the head coach of our football team," said Buddy King, the Steeldogs majority owner. "He brings a wealth of coaching experience to this franchise from both the af2 and the AFL. I am confident that he will do an outstanding job here in Birmingham."
Selesky is an Arena Football League and af2 coaching veteran. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Columbus Destroyers in 2005 under Head Coach Chris Spielman. Prior to that, Selesky spent the 2004 season on the sidelines for the Carolina Cobras, beginning the year as the team's defensive coordinator before finishing the season as the head coach.
"It was our goal to bring in a proven winner to guide our team to a championship", stated Scott Myers, Managing Partner. "We are confident that with Ron we will have an opportunity to reach that goal."
Selesky spent the 2003 season as head coach and director of football operations for the Buffalo Destroyers, prior to the team relocating to Columbus, Ohio. He also served as the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm from 1997 to 1999. With the Storm, his teams compiled a 31-11 regular season record and earned a berth in the 1998 ArenaBowl.
"This is a great opportunity for me," Selesky said. "The Steeldogs have always been regarded as one of the premiere af2 franchises and I am looking forward to the challenge of bringing a championship to the organization and its fans."
Born in Brunswick, N.J., Selesky played college football at North Central College (Division III) in Naperville, Ill., where he was a four-year starter at left offensive tackle. Following his collegiate career, Selesky went on to play for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings in 1987 and attended NFL camps with the San Diego Chargers (1988), Miami Dolphins (1990) and Detroit Lions (1992). He also spent time as a scout with ProQuest Management from 1995-1997.
The seventh season of Steeldogs football kicks off in 2006. Call (205) 458-8833 for season ticket and sponsorship information. Also, visit The Official Web site of the Birmingham Steeldogs, Steeldogs.com, for upcoming tryout information and the release of the 2006 regular season schedule.
*The Columbus Destroyers contributed to this report
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