Tim Marcum resigns after 15 seasons with the Storm
Thursday February 17, 2011
Tampa Bay Career Included 156 Wins, Three ArenaBowl Championships
TAMPA BAY – Head Coach and General Manager Tim Marcum, the winningest coach in the Arena Football League, resigned this morning after serving the Storm for 15 seasons, the team announced today. Marcum had compiled a 156-79 (.664) overall record with the Storm, winning three ArenaBowl championships (1995, ‘96, 2003). In his 21 seasons as an Arena Football League Head Coach, he has won seven ArenaBowl championships, four more than any other coach in history.
“After 15 great seasons in Tampa Bay with the Storm, it is time for me to move on,” Marcum said upon making the announcement. “There is a lot going on in my life right now and I believe, for the good of the Storm franchise, that I need to take a step back, focus on those issues and remove any distractions from the team.
“I cherish the wonderful memories, the championships, and all of our players, but most of all, I thank the Arena Football fans in Tampa Bay. We have the greatest fans in the league and I’d like to thank them for their support over the years. Lastly, I’d like to thank Woody Kern, who as owner, brought me to Tampa Bay in 1995, for giving me the opportunity to help create the best franchise in the AFL.
“As the Storm move forward under Mr. (Jeff) Vinik’s ownership, I am confident it will continue its winning ways, competing for championships, and maintaining a strong relationship with its fans and the Tampa Bay community. I wish nothing but the very best for the franchise.”
Marcum’s legacy in Tampa Bay included not only championship teams, but league-record crowds, a passionate fan base and a deep-rooted relationship with the Tampa Bay community.
“As coach Marcum moves on in his career, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for his years of service to the Storm franchise, its players and our great fans,” said Tod Leiweke, chief executive officer of Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, LLC. “Coach built a tremendous legacy in Tampa Bay and we aim to carry on the positive traditions he has established here.”
Marcum, a native of Snyder, TX, played quarterback under legendary coach Grant Teaff at McMurry University and began his career coaching high school football in west Texas. He coached collegiately at Ranger College, Rice University and as an assistant to Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida. He also coached in the United States Football League, the World League of American Football and the National Football League.
A charter member of the Arena Football League Hall of Fame, Marcum has compiled a 211-99 (.681) career record in his 21 seasons as a head coach, making 11 ArenaBowl appearances and winning seven ArenaBowl Championships. He led the Denver Dynamite to an ArenaBowl Championship in 1987 and then led the Detroit Drive to three championships (1988, ’89 and “92) in five years before joining the Storm in 1995.
At one point, Marcum had won six ArenaBowl world championships in eight seasons, marking one of the greatest championship runs for any head coach in sports history. Besides winning more championships than any other coach, Marcum holds several Arena Football coaching records including, most wins (211), most games coached (310) and most ArenaBowl appearances (11). Seven of his former players are in the Arena Football Hall of Fame: Dwayne Dixon, Gary Mullen, Tate Randle, Alvin Rettig, Jay Gruden, John Groehlk, and Joe March.