VooDoo Head Coach Optimistic Entering 2013
Published on February 14, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (February 14, 2013) - New Orleans VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara is very optimistic about the 2013 season and hopes to build off of their postseason run.
O'Hara begins his second year at the helm and stresses the need for the team to finish strong, something he said the team struggled to do last season.
"We had control of our destiny in the division. We're sitting at 8-7 with three games to go" O'Hara said in an interview. "We weren't able to win one of those three to win the division and secure home field advantage. You want to finish strong." O'Hara pointed out that the team was young, and that it is part of the growing process from year one to year two. He also spoke about how the eighteen game regular season in the AFL was uncharted territory for some of the younger players, who need to be prepared for the long-term.
According to O'Hara, the team started fast, but he said, "It's not how you start; it's how you finish. We need to play our best football in July. There were times when we were a little inconsistent week in, week out. I thought we struggled with special teams during our season that really cost us a couple games." The coach did say, however, that the team made some strides last year that he hopes will carry over into this season.
O'Hara noted that the VooDoo has a core group of players, and that the foundation has been laid for year two to be better. Specifically, he spoke about the progress of quarterback Kurt Rocco, as well as other players. "Working with Kurt last year was a lot of fun, and watching him grow" said O'Hara. "I'm excited to see how he'll do. I'm excited to see how Donovan Morgan will fit into our team offensively." The VooDoo recently acquired Morgan through a trade with the Philadelphia Soul. Morgan also spent some of his college career with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. O'Hara is also eager to see the progress from his core group of players that returned last year, and how they grow from year one to year two.
The coach also touched on some aspects of Arena Football that can bring fans to the game who are looking for some football during the spring and summer months. "It's hard hitting, very talented football players, tons of scoring, music for the fans, and there are constantly promotions going on" he said. "The wall aspect of it, (players) bouncing off walls, and the ball bouncing off that net, anything can happen. It's a great game. It's a lot of fun. It's enjoyable for me." He also said that the team is excited that it will play its final six home games in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, while the New Orleans Arena undergoes renovations after the Hornets' season.
The first of its three home games in the Arena begins Sunday, March 24 as the team hosts its South Division rival the Orlando Predators.
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- VooDoo Head Coach Optimistic Entering 2013 - New Orleans VooDoo
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