Sports stats



Stoute Accepts Position as Assistant Head Coach with Indiana Firebirds

September 25, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


NEW LONDON, Conn. (September 25, 2003) – Mohegan Wolves (arenafootball2) head coach Mark Stoute officially accepted a job late Wednesday afternoon with the AFL's Indiana Firebirds and will serve as the team's Assistant Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel.

In just one season with the Wolves, Stoute guided the team to a 10-6 regular season record and its first playoff appearance in franchise history. Mohegan continued to shine in the postseason, scoring an exciting first round road victory (50-47) on Aug. 2 against the Atlantic Division Champion Cape Fear Wildcats. A year prior to Stoute's arrival, the Wolves struggled to a 3-13 record in their inaugural season under the direction of Gary Porter. Mohegan 's home record also improved dramatically during Stoute's one-year tenure. In eight home contests this past year, the Wolves went 7-1 at Mohegan Sun Arena. In comparison, Mohegan managed just one home win in 2002.

"What Mark did for this organization is immeasurable," said Wolves Vice President Angelo Mazzella. "He's a super coach and a great leader. His presence will surely be missed, but I wish him nothing but success in Indiana.

Stoute also praised Mazzella and the Wolves organization for giving him the opportunity to continue doing what he loves, and that is coaching the game of Arena Football.

"I'd like to personally thank Angelo (Mazzella) and the Wolves ownership group for allowing me the chance to work with a great group of individuals on and off the football field. I'd also like to recognize my coaching staff and players for their hard work this past year. Every one of them played a role in making the Mohegan Wolves a success.

Stoute continued his sentiments to include the faithful Wolves fans and their role in the franchise's bright future.

"We were blessed to have some of the best fans I've ever been around," Stoute said. "I think this team (Wolves) has a lot to look forward to. The foundation has been laid here for continued success. With the support of the fans, I believe the Wolves will be a positive force to be dealt with for years to come.

A year after turning the Wolves from a walkover into a winner, Stoute now faces a similar challenge in Indiana. The Firebirds, which started the 2003 season at 3-0, struggled over the final 13 games, winning just three more contests and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1997. With winning at a premium in the AFL, Stoute said he is already sharply focused on his new task at hand – to help first-year head coach Steve DeBerg rebuild the Firebirds and make them into champions.

Prior to his service with the Wolves, Stoute spent two seasons as the Head Coach and General Manager of the AFL's Toronto Phantoms, guiding them to a 13-15 overall record and an Eastern Division Championship in 2001. Stoute, a Windsor, CT resident, got his first front office opportunity in 1997 with the Florida Bobcats, where he served a two-year stint as their Director of Player Personnel and Offensive Assistant. He took over as the New England Sea Wolves Director of Football Operations/Player Personnel in 1999 and stayed with the franchise through its move to Toronto, where they became known as the Phantoms. Stoute has also served as a coach in the AFL with the Charlotte Rage (1996) and the Connecticut Coyotes (1995). In addition to the AFL experience, he also served as the special teams coach for Southern Connecticut State University.

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from September 25, 2003


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.

OurSports Central