Sports stats



The OSC interview: Austin Wranglers GM Glyn Milburn

by Fran Stuchbury
March 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers


Glyn Milburn, a two time All-American playing running back, wide reciever and kick returner at the University of Stanford, is in his second season as the general manager of the Austin Wranglers. He spent 10 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl on two occasions, in 1995 and 1999. When Milburn got his hands on a football he was always a threat to make a big play.

Fran Stuchbury: What interested you in working for the Wranglers? How familiar were you with the AFL prior to joining them?

Glyn Milburn: I was not very familiar with the AFL prior to joining the Wranglers in 2003. My first exposure to the AFL was seeing an Arizona Rattlers television broadcast in the mid-1990s on cable television. The games were exciting and fast, yet the exposure was mainly on a local level. Then, the NBC agreement brought a higher level of coverage and that is when I really became a fan. After I retired from playing in the NFL in 2002, I made my home in Austin and was involved in private equity investments. Through the private equity investment world, I became a part of the ownership group that eventually became the Austin Wranglers Arena Football Team.

FS: Prior to the season you traded quarterback John Kaleo to the Los Angeles Avengers. Did you feel that backup Bobby Pesavento was the QB of the future or did you feel you would be able to pick up a veteran QB in John Fitzgerald like you did?

GM: The original plan in our inaugural year was to build the franchise with AFL veteran players at key positions with quarterback being first on the list. We also wanted to sign younger players that we could develop into eventual starters at these same key positions. I have a high degree of respect for John Kaleo, and he was instrumental in establishing the Austin Wranglers as a credible franchise in our first year of existence. When John was traded to Los Angeles, we wanted to ensure we continued our original strategy by bringing in a quality AFL veteran like John Fitzgerald to compete along with Bobby Pesavento.

FS: One of your big free agent signings, OL/DL Bryan Henderson, has been injured most of the season. Do you feel once he is healthy that he and Tom Briggs will be able to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks?

GM: Tom Briggs and Bryan Henderson both have the distinction of having at least eight sacks in one season. Having both of these players on the field gives us a competitive advantage in the Southern Division considering its great quarterbacks.

FS: Do you have a good relationship with head coach Skip Foster? How closely do you two work together?

GM: Skip and I have an excellent working relationship. We both worked closely on personnel decisions, and make sure that we are aggressive in building a solid team within our salary cap limits. One thing I am not is a coach.

FS: Do you feel af2 is a good place to look for talent?

GM: af2 is perhaps the best recruiting pool for young players to gain experience in Arena Football. Players on our team did not grow up playing Arena Football, so af2 is the best way to gain valuable experience in the nuances of the indoor game.

FS: What do the Wranglers have to do to have a better second half of the season?

GM: The most important thing for the Wranglers to do in the second half of the season is keep it simple. The kicking game needed to be addressed, and we have made changes to get better in that area. Consistency at each position comes through simply playing to the strengths of our personnel with a simple game plan. Ultimately, the best results will come through continuing to give great effort. I believe we have the type of character on our team that will achieve better results in the second half of the season.

FS: Are you pleased with the fan support the Wranglers have received in their second season? It's a good move making tickets for next season already available.

GM: We are very aware that a great fan experience means everything in Arena Football. That said, we have been more than pleased at the support we receive from the Austin community, and are committed to providing the best value/cost ratio in Central Texas. Making our 2006 season tickets available now gives us time to extend this value to more fans and allows them to get the best seats.

FS: You recently did color commentary for a Wranglers home game on local television. Did you enjoy that experience?

GM: I really enjoyed doing the television broadcast with Roger Wallace on KXAN. It was rather painless in that I am talking about football - something I have a relative comfort level explaining to people. However, Roger was extremely helpful in walking me through some of the technical aspects of the television broadcast like positioning and station breaks. I definitely would like to do it again.

FS: Do you like that there will be a neutral site ArenaBowl this season? If Austin doesn't get there, do still think some fans from Austin will travel to the game?

GM: Having a neutral-site Arena Bowl is the best thing for the league for many reasons. For one, it provides the league with a professional game production and the planning needed for that type of undertaking. It also gives both team participants that neutrality (unless you're the Las Vegas Gladiators) which makes the Super Bowl such a fan draw. I will definitely be in Las Vegas for the Arena Bowl weekend. I just hope it's along with the Austin Wranglers.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 30, 2005


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Austin Wranglers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central