Soul promote Dolezel to head coach

PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) – The Philadelphia Soul have promoted assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Clint Dolezel to head coach.

The promotion comes on the heels of Doug Plank announcing his resignation last week after one season in the position and an ArenaBowl XXV appearance.

“I’m excited to stay with the best organization in the Arena Football League,” Dolezel said.  “I don’t think there is an organization or city that is more committed to winning a championship than the Soul and the city of Philadelphia.  I am proud to be a part of it.”

“Clint is the right person for the job here in Philadelphia,” added Soul general manager Tom Goodhines.  “He was a big part of our success this season and will continue to a big reason why the Soul will remain a title contender year-in and year-out.”

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.

The Soul offensive unit, including: QB Dan Raudabaugh, FB Derrick Ross, and WR Tiger Jones set franchise and League single-season records.  Dolezel was previously was the head coach for the Dallas Vigilantes in 2011 and led them to an 11-7 regular season record and a playoff 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.  “The foundation has been set for the Soul to remain a perennial title contender and we are all excited for what is ahead for this franchise.”

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.