Listen To The Steamwheelers Live

Former Gladiators Head Coach Frank Haege, right, with QB Clint Dolezel (Billy Precht)

July 29, 2004 - The Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League have relieved head coach Frank Haege of his duties, the team announced today.

“We felt that in the best interest of our team, fans and the city of Las Vegas, it was time to make a change," said Gladiators General Manager Dan Dolby. "This is the first step in our commitment towards putting an ArenaBowl contender on the field in 2005."

Haege spent three years as the Gladiators’ head coach, compiling a 25-21 regular season record and a mark of 0-2 in playoff contests.

“We are putting together a list of potential candidates that we want to bring in to interview for the position,” said Dolby. “We are going to do what is best for this football team and our goal of winning an ArenaBowl championship.”

The Gladiators also announced that the contracts of both assistant head coach Ron James and defensive coordinator Stan Davis have been extended through the 2005 season.

James has been with the Gladiators organization since 2002 as the assistant head coach/offensive/defensive line/special teams coach. Davis spent his first season with the Gladiators in 2004 as the defensive coordinator after a three-year stint with the Chicago Rush. Both James and Davis will be offered the opportunity to interview for the head coaching position.

“I want to thank Frank for the time and energy he put into coaching the Las Vegas Gladiators,” said Gladiators’ owner James L. Ferraro. “As we move into our third season in Las Vegas, it was time for our organization to go in a different direction. I have no doubt that Frank will have continued success and we will meet one of his team’s in the future.”