Coach Ho hints he's out in PDX

[David]

Mike Hohensee hinted he's out as head coach of the Thunder (image credit: John Lariviere/Portland Tribune)


8.21.15 - 

A week to the day that the Portland Thunder saw their season end in the first round playoff game against San Jose, the team appears to need a new head coach.

Mike Hohensee hinted Friday evening that he's done as head coach of the Portland Thunder after one season. He posted the following status on his Facebook page:



The Thunder have not confirmed the coaching change at the time of this article. Unless the team refutes Hohensee's remarks, his dismissal or possible retirement means that the Thunder will be looking for their third head coach in just as many seasons.

The 21-year head coach was hired last year after the team shockingly fired Matt Sauk. The dismissal of Sauk and the hiring of Hohensee raised eyebrows among AFL and Thunder fans, as the team opted for grooming talent to build for the long-term and advertising “home grown talent" under Sauk. The hiring of Hohensee indicated management was abandoning the long-term commitment and going for the big-name hire with a successful past. His hiring would have sounded more appealing in 2006, but in 2014 it appeared to be a downgrade, especially with Hohensee's 25-47 record from 2011-2014.

The move didn't yield much of a difference as the Thunder finished with a 5-13 record, the same record they had under Sauk.

As a result of the 5-13 season, Hohensee's career coaching record fell below .500 this season. The AFL Hall of Famer now has a 158-160 regular season record and a 12-13 playoff record as head coach. The 158 regular season wins are most among current AFL head coaches, but Hohensee has had a 30-60 record the past five seasons. He won an ArenaBowl Championship with the Chicago Rush in 2006, but the Rush finished 7-9 and won their final two games to qualify for the playoffs.

Hohensee's departure from the Rose City is interesting, especially since the Spokane Shock recently parted ways with head coach Andy Olson. However, it should be noted he's not the only head coach available; Dean Cokinos and Aaron Garcia currently looking for work as both the New Orleans VooDoo and the Las Vegas Outlaws folded a few days after the regular season ended. 

-DKH

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[Kasey]

it's too late. third expansion year coming up.

[DiamondThief]

you all know how I felt about Ho being hired in the first place. It was a mistake. As long as I say that, I should add that he probably should have had a year to make a difference. Even though we had some guys with experience, it was just like another expansion year. I do not know who the new coach will be, but it will be like a third straight expansion year for the Thunder.

[David]

It's interesting to see the reactions on Facebook, especially with the Thunder Legion. There are fans that are upset that Emmert is pulling the plug so quickly on this and there are plenty of people that apparently feel like Hohensee really was the answer at head coach.

Who knows, maybe he could have turned it around if he had another year or so. Based on my experience with the AFL and observing his teams, I'm not convinced he would have. I truly believe they should have stuck with Sauk.

Also, it's worth noting there are rumblings that Hohensee is going to be meeting with management tomorrow (Saturday morning) and there's some kind of disagreement between him and the folks in the front office. Either he's going to remain as coach or it'll just confirm our report that he's gone.

There's also a rumor that he might have wanted out because Chicago might be in the mix for AFL expansion, and I believe Coach Ho's family resides in the Chicago area. This could make sense, but regardless we'll have to keep an eye out for what the Thunder say about this situation.

[bsquared]

Heh, all the answers in the question block are appropriate.

1) Should've never fired Sauk. But when you're an idiot owner who is on his sixth president and third head coach in two years, and you're still not recognizing that you're the problem...well, you are what you are.
2) Hohensee is an okay guy, I feel like his practices were good and focused...but he can't get talent. Everyone who did anything. was a guy who came from Sauk. He also throws the team under the bus and takes no responsibility for losses.
3) There are a lot of good coaches out there and available, so I don't think it's all that bad if they get one of the good coaches. But then, they fired Sauk for Ho in the first place, and it's not like Terry has any clue what he's doing. He has people that don't know anything advising him and ignores the people that do know something.
4) Fans acting like he cares about them make me lol. Hi, remember the team naming thing? That time he at least told you you had a voice and ignored you. Do you think he's going to listen when he didn't ask for your opinion?

[DiamondThief]

Emmert is clearly the problem. He should stick with promoting the team. He needs to take a step back. You all know I am on record as saying the Sauk firing was the wrong move. Hohensee did not prove anything. The Thunder are going into their third season as a third-year expansion team. I hope for, but would not expect much improvement next season.

[Yeseeka]

Everyone knows Sauk should have been kept. I don't like what this make the Thunder look like. Emmert is a chauvinest jerk. He will never win more than 5 games a season if he keeps running the team like this.