Predators Media Day Recap
Jason Lucas
Thursday March 3, 2011
The Varsity Club at the Florida Citrus Bowl was the site of Orlando Predators media day on Wednesday afternoon. Local media came out in droves to the event that featured a long conversation with Preds head coach Pat O’Hara.
O’Hara stated that quarterback Nick Hill saw his doctor earlier in the day and was given clearance to return to full activity as of next Wednesday which will give him plenty of time to get ready for the season opener.
On Thursday, the Predators travel to Tampa Bay to face the Storm in what will be their only preseason contest. Coach O’Hara and Storm head coach Dave Ewart will be going head-to-head for the first time since the dismissal of legendary coach Tim Marcum.
“Dave knows that system and he’ll carry on the tradition of Tampa Bay Storm football,” O’Hara said. “He will definitely have that team ready to play and as always the championship will go through Tampa Bay.”
Coach Marcum holds a special place in O’Hara’s heart from his days as a player and also in his time as an assistant under Marcum. O’Hara led the 2003 Storm to their fifth world championship after QB John Kaleo went out with a back injury in the third quarter of ArenaBowl XVII. O’Hara threw two touchdown passes that sealed the 43-29 win over the Arizona Rattlers that day.
“Tim Marcum gave me my first opportunity to be a coach in this league,” said O’Hara. “I really wanted to compete against coach Marcum because he is the best. The whole situation with him right now is a difficult situation. Regardless of what’s been said or written about him I love the guy and he’s a very special person to me. I am going to miss him.”
Most of the media wanted to talk to the local players from the University of Central Florida. Former Knights defensive lineman Frisner Nelson and wide receiver Sergio Joachim were next up.
For their thoughts on such things as making the adjustment to arena football, the success of their college, and playing professionally in Orlando see the video below.
Former UCF Knights now Orlando Predators players Frisner Nelson and Sergio Joachim discuss Preds training camp, their times at UCF and more.
Preds head coach Pat O'Hara speaks with the media on such topics as training camp progress, his experiences from last season, and his thoughts on coach Marcum's dismissal in Tampa Bay.
