XFL Announces Head CoachesMay 10, 2000
Greenwich, CT – The XFL is excited to announce that it has selected eight highly qualified and well-respected head coaches for its 2001 season. The head coaches include leaders across collegiate and professional football, including Buddy Ryan, Jerry Glanville, Wayne Fontes, Galen Hall, Ron Meyer, Jim Criner, Al Luginbill and Gerry DiNardo. This group not only shares the XFL's passion for sport and innovation, but brings the football pedigree, leadership experience and visionary outlook needed to play an active role in the building of the league and development of the players.
"Our head coaches are a group of leaders, champions and hall of famers with experience competing and coaching at the highest level in football. Not only will they be mentors to our players, but they are also ambassadors of the XFL as we work together to build tomorrow's league," said Dick Ebersol, Co-Founder. "What is most exciting about our talented coaches is that they all share our vision for the XFL and are committed to advancing the game of football for players and making it into a must-watch program for fans. The XFL is anchored in the belief of opportunity, and, just like our players, these football legends will drive the future of the game."
"We've brought together a respected group of coaches with elite football experiences, proven track records of success and a passion for the game. Our executives were a big part of the recruitment process, identifying true leaders in the sport that aligned with our vision and bring the best of the best to the XFL," said Vince McMahon, Co-Founder. "I look forward to collaborating with each of them and witnessing the active role they play in shaping their respective teams."
"This is yet another huge moment for the XFL. I have experienced first-hand the positive influence and impact that coaches can have on a player's life, and with our group of smart, accomplished and motivating head coaches, I expect nothing less. Not only will these coaches be mentors to our players, but they will be a big part of the cities in which we will operate. Stay tuned," said Dick Butkus, Director of the Football Competition.
"When seeking coaches for the XFL we set out to find the most outstanding individuals to lead our teams," said XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck. "We sought leaders with successful NFL backgrounds, who were excellent communicators and teachers of the game and were excited about building new franchises. We were fortunate to find four individuals who embody these attributes. These men are truly winners in every sense of the word."
“I have been following the formation of the XFL closely,” Luginbill said. “I believe the football on the field is going to be first class, and I am happy to get in on the ground floor of this league.”
Dallas Awarded First XFL FranchiseJune 1, 2000
Dallas, TX – The XFL has awarded Dallas Cowboys' owners Jerry Jones, Jerry Jones Jr. and Stephen Jones the first XFL team for Dallas, announced XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck prior to bringing out Jerry Jones alongside his sons to announce that they would be investing $10M into the league, and bringing the Dallas Desperados to the XFL. Former Cowboys Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Darryl Johnston were on hand for the announcement. The new team will be run on a day to day basis by Stephen Jones, and begin play as soon as February 2001. "Our new XFL team will provide the opportunity for sports fans in Dallas to enjoy the game of football year-round," said Stephen Jones. "The XFL is legitimate big-time football. The Cowboys are committed to providing championship-caliber XFL football in a family and fan-focused environment in the city of Dallas."
"The hottest and fastest-growing sport in the nation is honored to be associated with established and successful NFL owners like the Jones family," said Luck. "Stephen and his staff will help shape the future of the XFL by serving fans through the development of fan-friendly, year-round football."
NFL bylaws previously prohibited NFL owners from investing in other sport leagues or teams but an amendment to NFL rules was adopted on May 22, 1998 allowing for an exception for teams in an NFL club's own market.
Former Atlanta Falcons' Head Coach Jerry Glanville was named the Head Coach, while Wes Chandler, Steve Carson and Drew Pearson were named as the Offensive Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator and General Manager respectively. Now immersed in year-round football, Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano will also serve in the same position. Avezzano is in his 12th season with Dallas. The Desperados will be playing their home games in Texas Stadium. “We have brought a proven winner and a colorful person to Dallas and he is certain to excite and entertain our fans,” Jones said. “His enthusiasm not only for the game, but also for what we are trying to achieve in Dallas and with the XFL is infectious.” The XFL has welcomed the colorful Glanville with open arms. “By hiring Jerry Glanville, we have underlined our commitment to bring fans of the XFL top-quality coaches who have a winning pedigree and are household names."
For Glanville, it was a simple decision. “You never get tired of coaching,” Glanville said. “If you do, they’ll be throwing dirt in your face. You’ll be dead in the ground and still want to coach. What your whole deal is that you’re a teacher. You just hope that can take a guy and make him play better than what he used to play. If you can do that with one guy, you had a good day. If you can do it with 30 guys, you’ve got a good team.”
"If we eventually have someone on the Desperados play for the Cowboys, great," Pearson said. "But this is not a farm system. This is not a minor league. The XFL has it's own identity. It's its own entity."
XFL Makes Big Splash with Next Three TeamsJune 6, 2000
Chicago, IL – XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck announced Las Vegas, New York and Chicago as the next three cities the XFL would be invading. Each of the three cities, announced their coaching and front office staffs, their venues and their identities.
"The selection process of naming each team began by listening to our fans and working with each city to hear their suggestions and determine a long list of great ideas," said Dick Ebersol, XFL Co-founder. "After we culled that list down through local market research, testing and a dynamic group of advisers in each city, we had our short list. Then, more testing, and ultimately, Vince and I had some decisions to make. We feel strongly that our team names identify with the great cities we call home to our teams and positively represent the region and our fans."
"I'm psyched to reveal the cities that our players will have the chance to represent and compete in. This is another massive moment for the XFL, and I'm ready to feel the electricity our dedicated fans will bring to these iconic venues," added Vince McMahon, Co-Founder. "There is great energy building within our league and there is still much more to come and I can promise it's going to be worth the wait. We have been working on fresh, new logos and uniforms that will match the dynamic and innovative vision of our league. We see you, we hear you and your excitement fuels us to continue to bring you the absolute best. We have just under seven months until kickoff and the countdown is officially on."
The Chicago Enforcers were the first team announced and they set the tone. Former Chicago Bears' Defensive Coordinator and Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Buddy Ryan was announced as the Enforcers' head coach, while Peter Vaas, Rusty Tillman, and Dick Butkus would be serving as the Offensive Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator and General Manager respectively. The Enforcers would be playing their home games at legendary Soldier Field.
The Las Vegas Outlaws would be introduced next, and doing so would be Head Coach Jim Criner. Criner was the NFL Europe's Scottish Claymores head coach for the last six seasons. Joining Criner on the staff would be his son, Mark, who would be serving as the Defensive Coordinator along with Joe Paopao as the Offensive Coordinator and Bob Ackles as the General Manager. The Outlaws would be playing their home games at Sam Boyd Stadium.
"Las Vegas, get excited that your Outlaws will bring fun and affordable football to the city. The Outlaws will be the fan favorite with great family friendly entertainment," said Ackles. "Outlaws fans get ready to cheer your home team to be vicious and victorious in the XFL."
The New York Guardians were the third team announced on the evening, and former SMU Head Coach Ron Meyer would be leading the team, while Joe Lombardi would be leading the offense, Doug Graber would be leading the defense and Steve Ehrhart would be in charge of putting together the initial roster. The Guardians would be playing their home games at Giants Stadium.
"It was critical to us that we took our time in selecting team names that we felt best reflected the local community while simultaneously defining the personality of the team," said Commissioner Oliver Luck. "When selecting a name for the New York franchise, we wanted to pay homage to the individuals who protect the city including the NYPD, FDNY, the Port Authority and so many other dedicated organizations who bravely watch over the city."
The XFL Unveils Names, Logos and Colors of Final Four TeamsJune 13, 2000
Greenwich, CT – XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck announced Birmingham, Los Angeles, Orlando and Minneapolis as the last four cities to receive inaugural XFL teams. These four cities would be sharing their venues, coaching staffs, general managers and team identities to conclude the process. To start off the evening, Luck introduced the owner of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, Bob Naegele Jr., to the crowd, and Naegele announced that he along with Naegele Sports LLC would be bringing the Minneapolis Wild to the XFL as well. "Earlier the month, we proudly released the names and logo packages of our first four teams and the reception was absolutely electric across all four markets. We strongly believe that was due to the fans playing such a critical role in the selection process and working with each city to understand their suggestions and ideas," said Luck. "Today we release the names and logos of our last four teams with enthusiasm and pride as we give our final four teams their identity within our league. I can't wait to start seeing fans wearing their team colors and joining our league."
"We've had a clear vision for the XFL, the values to instill, the quality of our leaders, the innovation of the game and how we want to deeply engage with our communities so they can help bring this vision to life. Today, our league takes another step closer to our inaugural kickoff as we officially announce where our teams will play," said Vince McMahon, Co-Founder. "What brings a league to life is the passion of the fandom behind it. In each of these cities we will co-create with our fans and build these teams from the ground up so that they represent the unique fabric of our communities. We welcome all football fans to join us as we get ready for kickoff in February."
The XFL's Minneapolis Wild would share a name, logo, city and ownership group with the NHL's version that started their inaugural season a few months ago. The Wild would be coached by former Detroit Lions' Head Coach Wayne Fontes alongside Jim Skipper and David Catapano, as the offensive and defensive coordinators. Steve Ortmayer will be serving as the General Manager for the team calling the Metrodome home.
Next team introduced was the Orlando Rage, who will be playing their home games in the Citrus Bowl and be coached by the former University of Florida and NFL Europe's Rhein Fire Head Coach Galen Hall. The offensive coordinator will be Bart Andrus and the defensive coordinator will be Pete Kuharchek, while the General Manager will be Tom Veit. Veit will also serve as the league's Head of Business Operations.
"We could not have been more fortunate in hiring a coach of Galen's Hall stature," Veit said. "Galen has coached many championship teams at both the college and professional levels and is widely respected throughout the coaching ranks for his ability to identify and develop young talent and then produce winning football teams with those players. That experience, combined with the fact that he is a long-time Central Florida resident and well known in the community, made Galen the ideal candidate for this position."
"The XFL presents a unique and exciting opportunity for me," Hall added. "The chance to come back home to coach professional football was an important factor in my decision, but it was not the over-riding factor. From the beginning, I was extremely impressed with the XFL's commitment to the sport. We're going to put a product on the field that's going to be fast-paced, exciting and fun and I am looking forward to the challenge of helping to build the Rage into one of the league's best franchises."
"When reviewing markets for the XFL, we focused on cities who were looking for more football. Orlando has already proven to be a passionate, loyal and engaged fan base that loves the game, yet they don't have a professional football team to call their own," said XFL co-Founder Dick Ebersol.
The Birmingham Steel were the third team announced and they would be coached by former Louisiana State University Head Coach Gerry DiNardo. Fellow former LSU Head Coach Curley Hallman would be serving as the defensive coordinator, while Kippy Brown as the offensive coordinator and Tim Berryman as the General Manager. The Steel would be playing their home games at Legion Field. The Steel pays tribute to the hard working steel workers who provided the Iron that fueled the industrial revolution. The people of Birmingham are tough, hard working, passionate, strong and dependable, attributes that will quickly become synonymous with the Birmingham Steel. The team colors - royal blue, steel grey and brushed silver - are derived from the three elements needed to make steel, Iron Ore, Coal and Flux. The logo, a stylized football, pays tribute to the passionate football fans of Alabama.
"Birmingham is the largest city in one of the most-populated states without a professional sports team. For a market with such a passion for the game of football, we knew early on that we needed to address that and expand the football offering for fans," said Dick Ebersol, XFL co-founder. "There are a number of exciting changes happening in Birmingham that make it an ideal destination for a professional sports team, including a new stadium currently under construction. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the community and I know this community will rally around and support the Birmingham Steel."
The eighth and last XFL team for the inaugural season, has professional football returning to Los Angeles for the first time since 1995. The Los Angeles Stars will be coached by former San Diego State and Amsterdam Admirals Head Coach Al Luginbill. Former Toronto Argonauts' Head Coach Jim Barker will be designing the offense with Bob Valesente calling the defense and Michael Lang building the roster. Al's son, Tom Luginbill, will also be on the staff as the QBs Coach. The Stars will be playing their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium.
“We are very fortunate to have a man with coach Luginbill’s experience,” Lang said. “He has been a proven winner at all levels. Now, he gets to return home to Southern California.”
"We are proud to work with eight fantastic cities. The selected cities expressed a commitment to forging a partnership and have a passion and love for the game of football. The reception we have felt at each unveil has been tremendous, and is just a taste of what's to come. Early on in our process we identified markets that we felt would make ideal destinations for our first eight cities," said Ebersol. "With so many great cities coming forward and many strong relationships being established, we are now confident that we not only have our first eight cities for year one, but a number of strong candidates for 2002 and beyond."
"The common theme amongst our cities is a shared passion for the game of football," said Dick Butkus, Director of the Football Competition. "There is a legitimate demand for spring football in North America. It is our job to deliver a world class football experience both on and off the field and it is our mission to be the top spring league in the world. With our football operations team firing on all cylinders, I'm extremely optimistic about our future and the dynamic football we will deliver to our fans this upcoming spring."