The Predators hired William McCarthy Thursday as head coach of Kent’s new pro indoor football team.
McCarthy worked last year as an assistant coach with the expansion El Paso Generals of the first-year Indoor Football League. He assisted head coach Brian Brents, now the vice president of operations for the Predators.
“When I was brought to Kent by (co-owner) Chris (Kokalis) and was given the task of finding a head coach, William’s name immediately popped into my head,” said Brents in a team media release. “I have had the privilege of working with him the last couple years and know he will bring a winner to the area.”
The Predators make their home debut in the Indoor Football League March 12 against the Fairbanks Grizzlies at the ShoWare Center. Kent opens the season Feb. 28 at Billings, Mont.
McCarthy oversaw the El Paso offensive and defensive lines as well as the special teams. He helped establish the Generals as one of the top three offensive teams in the league in passing yards, total offense and points per game. The Generals had a 12-2 record.
“I am very excited to be the first head coach of the Kent Predators,” McCarthy said. “I look forward to the opportunity to bring some good football to the Northwest and I hope to bring a product that the state of Washington and the city of Kent can be proud of.”
Kokalis, who also serves as team president, looks forward to working with McCarthy.
“I have much respect for the opinions of Brian Brents when it comes to the game of indoor football,” Kokalis said. “When he gave his recommendation for William and backed it up with the statistics on his coaching pedigree, it became an easy decision.”
McCarthy will begin to assemble a 45-man roster for next month’s training camp. The Predators have signed 15 players so far and have another tryout camp on Jan. 24.
The Indoor Football League started last spring with 19 teams and plans to field 26 teams in 2010. The league, based in Richmond, Va., was created in 2008 with the merger of the Intense Football League and the United Indoor Football League. The 14-game regular season runs from March through June.
Individual tickets for the seven home games go on sale Jan. 25 at the ShoWare Center and on the Predators Web site. Ticket prices range from $14.50 to $42 per game.
Twenty-five players, including four inactive members, will make the roster for the eight-on-eight games played on a 50-yard field with no punting. Players who make the team will receive $225 per game and a $25 bonus if the Predators win.
For more information, go to www.kentpredators.com.
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