Softich.com

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

The Song Remains the Same

I have had a lot of inquiries lately as to my current coaching situation. Since I haven't had the time to contact everyone individually, I will lay it out here in as simple of terms that I can.

I am no longer coaching or affiliated with the Missoula Raptors. I am now the head coach of the Missoula Phoenix. The Phoenix are, basically, the former Raptor players and coaches except for a very small minority. We are essentially the same team with a new name and new colors, etc. For more information follow this link.

Despite a 2nd consecutive Montana Division Championship and playoff appearance, the team was badly mismanaged and as a result were not the "force" in the community we should have been. A change was brought about by the players themselves who were tired of the way the administration failed to live up to their responsibilities. Even though the effort was there at times, it is the final results that count.

I also was not going to come back under the same organization. The founders of the Raptors are great guys, and I wish them well, but they were not able to run the team as it should have been run. This was evident not only to the players and the public last season, but also my family as well. And since they are my first priority, I was ready to walk away.

It will be a very positive turn of events for everyone involved. We already have several professionals in place who will make sure things are well taken care of off the field, while leaving the on field responsibilities to me and my coaching staff. So now we can get on with the business of trying to win the League Championship, which has always been the goal.

Our new website, MissoulaPhoenix.com, which is being set up by my buddy Rick, will be up soon. Check it out. Also, I will try to keep you up to date on what is happening.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Celebration Day

Today Emma started First Grade. She was so excited she could hardly sleep last night. She really likes school and, for some reason, is fairly popular. Her teacher is Mari (Gallagher) Bender, who grew up about 2 blocks from us in Anaconda. Small world....