burnet44
05-23-2007, 02:21 PM
Coach fired amid assault probe
By Erin Bolen
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The San Angelo Stampede Express fired head coach Johnny Anderson on Tuesday.
Anderson, who was named the sixth coach in the indoor professional football team’s history in February, had been suspended without pay for three weeks following an incident at the Cattleman’s Restaurant and Sports Bar on April 29.
“It’s just one of those situations we just felt coach Anderson needed some time to mature and learn to separate from being a player to being a coach,” Stampede general manager Bridget Jones said.
Anderson, who was a receiver and defensive back for the Stampede in 2004 and 2006, could not be reached for comment.
Wali Mumin was named the acting head coach. Mumin has served as the Stampede’s defensive coordinator while playing defensive back this season. He will not play while leading the team. He led the team with four interceptions in five games this season.
Jones said the team has no timeline to hire a permanent coaching replacement.
A police report filed by Emily Phelps and Natalie Schreckenbach on April 29 named Anderson, 27, as the suspect in an assault case. The women told police Anderson punched Phelps in the head, then grabbed Schreckenbach’s hair and threw her to the ground.
A San Angelo Police Department spokesman could not provide an update of the case’s status Tuesday evening.
The Stampede suspended Anderson for a minimum of 10 days on May 1. That suspension was extended until he was fired Tuesday morning.
Anderson spoke publicly about the incident at the bar only once, apologizing when his suspension was announced.
“I’m grateful for the support of my team and my ownership,” he said at the time. “I’m looking forward to a long career with this team, and I’m prepared to work with management to put this incident behind us.”
Stampede co-owner Darlene Jones “made the final decision sometime late (Monday) night,” Bridget Jones said. “I know she prayed a lot about it. We prayed about it a lot together. It was a decision that had to be made.”
Jones said the team has not made a decision on whether Anderson’s number will remain retired by the organization. Anderson’s No. 6, the only retired number in Stampede history, was retired when he was named head coach in February.
The Stampede are 1-4 this season, including 0-2 during Anderson’s suspension. Their next game is Saturday at Corpus Christi.
By Erin Bolen
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The San Angelo Stampede Express fired head coach Johnny Anderson on Tuesday.
Anderson, who was named the sixth coach in the indoor professional football team’s history in February, had been suspended without pay for three weeks following an incident at the Cattleman’s Restaurant and Sports Bar on April 29.
“It’s just one of those situations we just felt coach Anderson needed some time to mature and learn to separate from being a player to being a coach,” Stampede general manager Bridget Jones said.
Anderson, who was a receiver and defensive back for the Stampede in 2004 and 2006, could not be reached for comment.
Wali Mumin was named the acting head coach. Mumin has served as the Stampede’s defensive coordinator while playing defensive back this season. He will not play while leading the team. He led the team with four interceptions in five games this season.
Jones said the team has no timeline to hire a permanent coaching replacement.
A police report filed by Emily Phelps and Natalie Schreckenbach on April 29 named Anderson, 27, as the suspect in an assault case. The women told police Anderson punched Phelps in the head, then grabbed Schreckenbach’s hair and threw her to the ground.
A San Angelo Police Department spokesman could not provide an update of the case’s status Tuesday evening.
The Stampede suspended Anderson for a minimum of 10 days on May 1. That suspension was extended until he was fired Tuesday morning.
Anderson spoke publicly about the incident at the bar only once, apologizing when his suspension was announced.
“I’m grateful for the support of my team and my ownership,” he said at the time. “I’m looking forward to a long career with this team, and I’m prepared to work with management to put this incident behind us.”
Stampede co-owner Darlene Jones “made the final decision sometime late (Monday) night,” Bridget Jones said. “I know she prayed a lot about it. We prayed about it a lot together. It was a decision that had to be made.”
Jones said the team has not made a decision on whether Anderson’s number will remain retired by the organization. Anderson’s No. 6, the only retired number in Stampede history, was retired when he was named head coach in February.
The Stampede are 1-4 this season, including 0-2 during Anderson’s suspension. Their next game is Saturday at Corpus Christi.