New head coach brings experience to Pioneers
Michael Balakier
Friday November 15, 2002
Kuharich, who was introduced as head coach at a press conference on Tuesday, brings a very impressive résumé to the Pioneers. Kuharich has served in a coaching capacity in every level of professional football, something extremely rare for an af2 coach to possess.
The list of players that Kuharich has coached is notable as well. Kuharich was credited with signing NFL veteran Doug Flutie to the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. Kuharich also coached such players as Ricky Williams, Erik Kramer, and AFL great Jay Gruden. Kuharich also delivered Gruden’s Arena Football Hall of Fame induction speech in 1998.
Kuharich has coached with the New Orleans Saints under legendary NFL coach Mike Ditka and has coached as an assistant with California against former UCLA and present Kansas City Chiefs coach, Dick Vermeil
However, with all of Kuharich’s football experience, one has to wonder why he would choose to coach in the af2.
“I’m a football coach,” Kuharich said. That’s all I’ve ever been, and all I’ve ever wanted to be. It’s not where you coach but that you coach. I believe arena football is the greatest game we have right now.”
Northeastern Pennsylvania also played a major factor in Kuharich taking the Pioneers coaching position. Kuharich, who has lived in Connecticut since 1994, said that he remember traveling through the region during his playing days at Boston College.
“The people here are tough, fair, and never quit,” said Kuharich. “This area is rich in football and [the people] understand it.”
Kuharich admits that it is going to be a hard job, but he says that he wouldn’t want it any other way. Kuharich also won’t have to wait long to get his hands wet, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s first free-agent tryout camp is scheduled for this Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Wyoming Valley Sports Dome. Kuharich is looking forward to the tryouts, stressing the Pioneers’ importance of local superiority.
“We’re going to search for the best of the best,” Kuharich said. And Kuharich’s reputation and experience suggests that “the best” will be in Wilkes-Barre when training camp opens in March.
Michael Balakier first discovered a knack for writing during his senior year in high school while reporting for his school`s newspaper. Aside from being an Arenaball fan, Michael is an avid Syracuse University athletics follower, which poses a problem for him, as he attends the University of Pittsburgh. Michael plans on using what he has learned through his Arenafan experience to remain as impartial as he can during future Syracuse/Pitt events. Michael also serves as co-Editor of the af2 section of Arenafan Online.
