Post by David on Aug 18, 2015 20:01:24 GMT -8
Head Coach Andy Olson has likely coached his last game for the Shock (image credit: SWX)
8.18.15-
UPDATE:
Kevin Uretsky of KVEW TV in Kennewick is reporting that Adam Shackleford has exercised an option in his contract that'll allow him to leave the Fever and that he will return to the Spokane Shock for a second tenure as head coach. He originally had a deadline on September 1st to leave or remain with the Fever, the same day as the deadline the Shock would have to declare to join the IFL.
Shackleford and his family have remained living in the Spokane area since being let go after the 2009 season and has commuted to Kennewick while working for the Fever. Now it looks like he'll get to stay home for the intermediate future.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Jim Meehan of the Spokesman-Review reported late Tuesday night that the Spokane Shock and head coach Andy Olson reportedly will go their separate ways, ending Olson's coaching tenure in Spokane.
Olson confirmed the parting of the ways. “I just think that both sides are ready for a change and maybe a next step in a different direction,” he said to Meehan. “The Shock is going to go one direction and I’m going to go another. Eventually that happens with every coach and coaching staff.”
The move comes three days after Spokane was bounced out of the first round of the AFL Playoffs by Arizona, losing 72-41. Despite making the playoffs, the team finished 7-11 in 2015, the worst regular season record in franchise history.
There had been rumblings from sources on the Spokane Shock message boards of reported dissatisfaction from ownership over how Olson was handling the job. During the middle of the season, it was rumored that the team would part ways with Olson and his staff as soon as the season ended. At the moment, defensive coordinator Travis Crusenberry and defensive backs coach Will Mulder are still under contract with the team, although their contracts will expire in September.
Olson's departure marks the end of his association with the team he has spent seven years with. He played from 2008-2009 as a wide receiver when the Shock played in the af2. He returned to the team in 2011 as offensive coordinator under Rob Keefe. Olson was hired after the Shock fired offensive coordinator Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. as the team started the season 0-2. He was promoted to head coach in 2012 and amassed a 42-30 regular season record, but he was 1-3 in the playoffs.
"It was a long season, tough season, lot of adversity, a lot of injuries, a lot of quarterbacks, just a lot of things that make a season challenging,” said Olson. “I thought we put ourselves in a situation at the end of the year to do great things... I was happy with the football team. These guys care about each other and care about this fan base. For me to be part of it, with the best fan base in arena football for seven years of my life, I’ve been extremely lucky."
The Shock are reportedly looking at former head coach Adam Shackleford to take over head coaching duties. Shackleford was 42-6 from 2007-2009 with a 7-2 playoff record, including an ArenaCup Championship in 2009 before being dismissed prior to the Shock's leap to the AFL. Shackleford then went on to coach in the Indoor Football League and has spent the last six seasons as head coach of the Tri-Cities Fever, amassing a 51-33 regular season record and two United Bowl Championship appearances.
What puts a wrinkle in the story is that Shackleford will only be hired if the Shock leave the AFL for the IFL. According to SWX, unless the AFL tosses up a last second Hail Mary to convince the Shock that they want the franchise to stay, they will likely join the IFL. Owner Nader Naini has been rather vocal about things the AFL has not addressed, specifically corporate sponsorship contracts and a crackdown on cheating (paying players under the table). Naini expressed frustration with Commissioner Scott Butera, stating that none of these problems have been addressed.
SWX reports that their sources close to the Shock say the team will submit official paperwork to join the IFL and Shackleford will be announced as their new head coach on September 1, the day of the deadline. Shackleford is still under contract with the Tri-Cities Fever of the IFL but can opt out at the deadline. However, the team has not confirmed any such move will take place, although they did issue a press release that said the franchise would look at all options and reveal details over the next few weeks.
Olson has refused to comment on the team potentially moving to the IFL, but stated he wouldn't follow the team if he were still retained. "That’s not a league I’m interested in coaching in. I’d like to stay at a higher level and continue to take steps forward in my career," he said.
- DH
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