Yard Dawgz Announce Head Coach
Published on November 2, 2009 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz announced the signing of Head Coach Sparky McEwen, today, for the inaugural season of the Arena Football One League. McEwen's two-year deal will keep him in Oklahoma City through the 2011 season.
McEwen will begin his second full season as the Yard Dawgz Head Coach as they transition into the newly formed Arena Football One League. Last season, McEwen lead the Dawgz to a 7-9 record and their fifth playoff berth in six seasons. Under McEwen's guidance, the Dawgz ranked in the top ten of 8 different categories, including; #1 rushing offense, #1 rushing touchdowns, #7 scoring offense, #2 total offense, #1 pass defense and #3 total defense.
"We are very excited to enter into a new era of arena football and I believe Sparky McEwen is the coach to lead the Yard Dawgz and Oklahoma City to a championship," Phil Miller, Owner, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. "Sparky made our team one of the most exciting teams in all of arena football and I want the tradition to continue in 2010."
McEwen's first arena football experience was in 1998 as the quarterback for the Arena Football League's Grand Rapids Rampage. McEwen then worked for the organization as a Pro Scout (2000) and Offensive Coordinator and Youth Development Director (2001-2003). McEwen was the Offensive Coordinator during the Yard Dawgz 2004 inaugural season and led the team to a 10-6 record and their first of four consecutive playoff appearances. Before joining the Yard Dawgz, he was the Head Coach for the Rampage (2005-2007).
"This is a great opportunity to embark on the start of a historic season for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and the new Arena Football One League," Head Coach Sparky McEwen explained. "I am excited to be just a small part of what I think will be a history making season as the Head Coach and President of Football Operations of this great franchise."
In 2008, McEwen joined the Yard Dawgz sideline as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator after a 1-5 start, the worst in franchise history and became the Head Coach a week later. After taking over the Dawgz offense, it went from averaging 30.3 points per game to 45.3 and increased average offensive yards per game to 217.9 from 184.4.
"My first order of business is to finalize our football operations staff for the 2010 season and begin the signing of key players to our roster," McEwen added.
The Yard Dawgz will play all their 2010 home games at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. The regular season begins in April and runs through July with playoffs in August.
Yard Dawgz season tickets are available now for the 2010 season, starting as low as $63! For additional information, please call (405) 228-3294 or visit www.okcyarddawgz.com.
Arena Football League Stories from November 2, 2009
- Yard Dawgz Announce Head Coach - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
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