PHILADELPHIA – The American Conference champion, Philadelphia Soul have signed head coach Clint Dolezel to a two-year deal that will keep him with the team through the 2014 season.
The deal comes on the heels of Arena Football League allowing coaches to sign two-year deals starting in 2013. Dolezel, who was the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the record-setting offense in 2012, played a major role in the Soul’s ArenaBowl XXV appearance.
“2012 was an amazing season and we are confident that Clint will lead this team to a championship,” said Soul co-majority owner Ron Jaworski. “Clint, along with (Soul GM) Tom Goodhines, have done a tremendous job of setting the foundation for the Soul to remain a perennial title contender and we are all excited for what is ahead for this franchise.”
Under Dolezel, the Soul offense finished No. 1 in the AFL for scoring (68.2), rushing offense (44.2), and No. 5 in total offense (323.4). Philadelphia was the only team in 2012 to reach 15 regular-season wins, while locking up home-field advantage for American Conference playoffs. With Dolezel calling the offense, the Soul set the League’s all-time mark with 1,228 points scored. Dolezel was previously the head coach for the Dallas Vigilantes in 2011 and led them to an 11-7 regular season record and a playoff appearance.
Dolezel was recently named to the 2012 AFL Hall of Fame Class and will be inducted during the 2013 Opening Weekend. He is No. 3 in career passing yards (44,564) and No. 2 in touchdown passes (931). Clint is also the first quarterback in AFL history to throw for over 400 yards in a game and first to do it six times. He matched one of the League’s most vaunted then-records by throwing for 11 touchdowns in a game three different times. He threw for over 100 touchdowns in a season twice (2006-07) and led his team to a 15-win season (15-1 in 2007). He also has a championship to his credit when he led the Grand Rapids Rampage to the title in 2001.
With the new deal signed, Dolezel will work with Goodhines to prepare for the upcoming AFL free-agency signing period. Beginning October 15, AFL teams can begin to re-sign their own players for the 2013 season. Open free agency begins for all unsigned players, league-wide on October 29. In addition, the Soul have announced an open tryout for all free agents who are interested in playing Arena Football with the Soul. The tryout will be held on Saturday, October 20 at the Philadelphia Eagles’ NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia.
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