Thunder coach preparing now for 2010 season
The Mahoning Valley Thunder's Quorey Payne (1) takes the ball down the field as he runs into teamates Chris Schubert (12) and C.J. Brewer (4) and Pioneers William TuTu Ferguson (22) and Allan Barnes (28) during the fourth quarter of the game at the arena formerly known as the Cheverolet Centre on Friday evening.
Whether there is an af2 season at the Covelli Centre next year remains to be seen once ownership decides.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — The team of talent with which coach Mike Hold started the 2009 season didn’t produce as expected.
After a 1-4 start under Hold, defensive coordinator Brennen Booth was elevated to interim coach to fix the problem and brought in Andy Kelly as offensive coordinator.
Three losses later, Chris MacKeown replaced Booth for the final eight games.
When the carpet for Mahoning Valley Thunder games at the Covelli Centre was rolled up and put in storage, the future of the af2 franchise may have followed suit.
Coach Chis MacKeown would welcome being retained if the team returns for 2010.
“They told me I’m the guy they want back,” MacKeown said earlier this week on his way home to Amarillo, Texas. “They definitely want me back as head coach.”
Asked if he felt that translated into a fourth season, he said: “I think there will be. Yes, I do. I believe that it’ll get worked out.”
MacKeown’s contract runs through Sept. 15.
Right now, the Thunder’s future isn’t certain and it’s difficult to fathom another 2-14 season. Over its three years, the team has a .250 winning percentage (12-36).
That’s not a bad batting average, but it won’t pull in fans during the March-to-July season.
“I just don’t know,” Thunder co-owner Dr. Jon Saadey said of the team’s fate as it hangs in the balance. “We’re still looking.”
However, there is no timetable for a decision.
“We’re busy guys,” Saadey said of the inability to sit down to discuss the matter with partners Dr. Michael Slyk and John Chesney.
Injuries to several key players, subpar performances at the quarterback position, a defensive backfield that needed revamped and difficulty recruiting quality players as losses mounted contributed to the team’s slide.
“I take complete responsibility for the wins and losses,” MacKeown said of the team’s 1-7 record since his hiring on May 26. “That’s on me.”
In his defense, MacKeown had a handful of days to install a new offense and instill a defensive philosophy in preparation for a Saturday game after arriving on a Tuesday.
“That was a challenge,” MacKeown said, stressing that the mid-season hiring deviated from his reputation for turning teams around following a full offseason of preparation.
“That was brand new for me,” said MacKeown. “I didn’t have an offseason to work out problems. But it’s tough when you have four different starting quarterbacks in eight games,” he said of Davon Vinson (released), Blake Powers (injured), Brad Roach (injured) and Tom Zetts.
Other key injuries included receivers Quorey Payne and C.J. Brewer; defensive back Jamar Landrom and pre-MacKeown victims Wally Sonnie and Carlos Spinner.
“The personnel wasn’t that bad, but I thought we had some quarterback issues, especially after Blake went down. But we got along with Brad and he got better every week,” MacKeown said, noting that Mahoning Valley scored over 50 points only once — 53 against Manchester in June when Roach was quarterbacking.
“We should have done it twice, but we missed four extra-point kicks,” the coach said of the following week’s game when the Thunder reached 47 points against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The mounting losses cost the Thunder a chance to sign an experienced quarterback.
“We certainly tried when we claimed one off waivers,” MacKeown said of Corpus Christi’s Gary Cooper.
“But he didn’t want to come from Louisiana to play four or five games and finish out the season with us,” MacKeown said.
“We worked hard on personnel, but it’s Catch 22 because the kind of guys you want are the ones talking to teams that have a chance for a championship, so they turned me down.”
MacKeown said he didn’t fault the players’ effort.
“They gave me good effort on game night and during the week. They did all they could.”
Once a young defensive backfield was assembled, inexperience took its toll.
“Because it’s pro football, there are lots of smart players on the other side and, if you make one mistake, they’ll take advantage of it,” MacKeown said. “Next year, we’ll be a smarter team with more experienced players and continue to play hard.”
MacKeown said he’s already getting a jump trying to find talent for next year. “Personnel is a never-ending thing.”
If Mahoning Valley drags out its decision, MacKeown would entertain other offers.
“Obviously, ‘a bird in hand is worth two in a bush,’ the coach said of the job analogy. “Jon [Saadey] understands that I would have to take something elsewhere if Mahoning Valley hasn’t made a decision. But I’ve started recruiting for the Thunder and that’s where I want to be next year.”
MacKeown said he learned from his Thunder stint.
“I think I became a better coach this year. I tell my players to always work to improve, so the same for me. If I stayed the same and didn’t grow, I’m dying as a coach. You always need to be improving some aspect of your coaching.”
bassetti@vindy.com