The Portland Thunder, who played their inaugural season in 2014 at the Moda Center, announced that they have let go of first year head coach Matthew Sauk. The introduction of new Thunder head coach Mike Hohensee took place on Wednesday. The former head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers has been in the AFL as a player or coach for every year the league has existed and in fact threw the first touchdown in AFL history.
A press release from the Thunder contained the following statement form Team President Brian Sandy:
“We are thankful for the contributions Matt made to our organization in our inaugural season. However, at this time, we feel we need a fresh face and voice to lead our team moving forward. We wish Matt and his family the very best as he moves on in his football career.”
The timing of such a move is curious as the league’s free agency season began yesterday at midnight and the Thunder are at least a player, if not a heavy buyer, in this year’s signing period. At a minimum the resigning of defensive back Eric Crocker, who was close to Sauk, must be high on the team’s list. The Thunder fielded one of the league’s top defensive backfields and Crocker’s veteran leadership was part of the formula for that success.
Coach Hohensee has connections at every level of the Arena Football League and has coached a number of high profile players now eligible for free agency.
The Barnstormers cut ties with Hohensee in advance of the team’s departure from the AFL and the split seems to have been amicable on both sides.
No room for Rice
In a no-nonsense statement sent to all owners and general managers of the 14 teams, the AFL has stated that there is no room for Ray Rice on any roster. The statement was clear that no contract would be approved for the former Baltimore Ravens running back. There have been no reports of contact from either an AFL team or Rice’s representation.
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