Orlando Predators name Matthew Sauk Offensive Coordinator

Monday October 19, 2015

 Move Reunites Two Highly Successful AFL Coaches

ORLANDO – October 19, 2015 – The Orlando Predators announced Monday that Matthew Sauk has been named the team’s offensive coordinator. One of the most highly-decorated, well-respected offensive minds in the game, Sauk is a two-time AFL Assistant Coach of the Year and has also served as a head coach in the league.

Sauk has a reputation for developing the best in Arena Football League quarterbacks and offenses. He has coached three of the last four AFL Most Valuable Player award winners at some point during their careers and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Predators.

Coming to Orlando, Sauk will look to rekindle the magic he has created with Predators head coach Rob Keefe in the past. The duo won the 2010 ArenaBowl together with the Spokane Shock when Keefe was the team’s head coach and Sauk served as his offensive coordinator.

“I am very proud to add Matthew to our coaching staff,” Keefe said. “His excellent work with quarterbacks in the AFL is unparalleled. His game preparation, attention to detail, and demanding personality are the great traits that helped us win a championship together in 2010. I'm looking forward to immediately working with him in building our roster for 2016."

Sauk is also eagerly anticipating getting back together with Keefe.

“I am extremely excited to be reunited with Coach Keefe and very grateful for the opportunity he has given me this upcoming season,” said Sauk. “I’m looking forward to getting to work as we pursue another championship.”

Sauk twice produced offensive units that set AFL single-season team records for passing yardage, passing touchdowns, passing first downs and pass completions. His Utah Blaze offensive unit set these marks the first time in 2011 and then proceeded to shatter them in 2012. Those accomplishments led to Sauk’s back-to-back AFL Assistant Coach of the Year awards. During those two seasons, the Blaze racked up more than 11,000 yards passing, along with 270 touchdowns. His team’s 2012 passing marks (5,758 yards, 142 TDs, 332 first downs, 510 completions) still stand as AFL records.

Sauk was the offensive coordinator of the LA KISS last season. He was the head coach of the Portland Thunder in 2014 and directed the expansion franchise to a playoff berth in its first year of existence. Prior to his time in Portland, Sauk enjoyed a three-year stint (2011-13) with the Blaze.

At various points in their careers, Sauk worked with three of the last four AFL MVPs. Tommy Grady earned the honor in 2012 while playing for Sauk in Utah. Nick Davila, a two-time MVP, received tutelage from Sauk as a rookie in 2008 before he went on to win MVP honors in 2011 and 2014 with Arizona. Erik Meyer began his career working under Sauk in 2010 and 2011 before taking the 2013 MVP honor.

Sauk replaces Siaha Burley, who served in the same capacity the last two seasons.

"Coach Burley did an exceptional job over the past two seasons and with that success comes additional opportunities in coaching," added Keefe. “As an organization, we decided it was best to move forward and give Coach Burley the chance to explore those opportunities.”

Not only has Sauk been an outstanding Arena Football coach, he had a stellar career as a player as well. Sauk was a 2009 af2 Hall of Fame inductee after throwing for more than 17,000 yards and 345 touchdowns in his career.

Sauk is a Livonia, Mich. native who played collegiately at Utah State in 1996 and 1997, setting numerous records with the Aggies. He still ranks among the top 10 on the school’s career passing yards, completions, attempts and total offense charts.

ABOUT THE ORLANDO PREDATORS

The 2014 and 2015 back-to-back South Division Champion Orlando Predators enter their 25th season as Central Florida’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field. Orlando has advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 22 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.