Siegfried accepts AFL position

Monday September 4, 2006

September 3, 2006 – SPOKANE, WA: The Spokane Shock announced today that Head Coach Chris Siegfried has accepted a position as Offensive Coordinator of the Kansas City Brigade of the AFL. This will end his one-year term as the Head Coach of the Spokane Shock, effectively immediately.

Siegfried, who this season became the winningest Coach in af2 history with 57, was a hot commodity after winning the 2006 ArenaCup7 with the first-year franchise Spokane Shock. The Shock was the first expansion team in the history of the af2 to advance to the Conference Championship and to win the ArenaCup. The title was Siegfried’s first ArenaCup Championship win in his seven years of coaching.

"The experience I had in Spokane was truly unforgettable," said Siegfried, who was named the af2’s 2006 Coach of the Year.

"I am proud that I was able help lay the groundwork for a football dynasty here in Spokane – the Shock are truly a special organization and they will be contenders for many years to come."

"It was an agonizing decision to leave Spokane, but I truly feel that this is what’s best for me and my career," explained Siegfried. "The Shock organization made it really tempting to stay, but in the end I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to move on to another level."

The Shock have started an immediate search to find a replacement for Siegfried. Majority Owner Brady Nelson and General Manager Adam Nebeker said that they hope to have a new hire in place within the coming weeks.

"Coach Siegfried is leaving big shoes to fill. But, with the foundation we’ve put in place here, we are 100% confident that we can bring in another outstanding coach to pick up right where we left off this past season," Nebeker said.

According to Nebeker, the Shock did everything they could to entice Siegfried to remain in Spokane. "Unfortunately, our hands are tied as to what the league allows us to offer," said Nebeker. "In the end, Coach Siegfried felt that the AFL position was the best step for him to fulfill his career goals, and we fully support his decision. We wish him nothing but success."

In an unrelated incident, Siegfried lost a close friend in a car accident and left for the funeral services earlier this evening. He will be available for interviews by phone upon request starting on Tuesday. These requests can be made by contacting Kevin Maloney, Director of Communications for the Spokane Shock at 206 227 3220.