Rush Release Coaching Staff
Edmonton, AB--The Edmonton Rush announced today that the club has relieved Paul Day from his duties as General Manager and Head Coach.
Assistant coaches A.J. Jomha and Jim Milligan have also been relieved of their duties.
Day's replacement is expected to be announced soon.
"This is an unfortunate situation considering the amount of time and effort that Paul, A.J. and Jim put into the Rush since the team's inception prior to the start of the 2006 National Lacrosse League season," said Rush President Duane Vienneau.
"But the expectations for the team were not being realized this season and a significant change was necessary. There is a lot of talent on this team; however, the record does not reflect where we should be in the standings. We needed to make a move while there is still time to make a concerted effort to reach the NLL playoffs for the first time in our history."
Day, the NLL's Coach of the Year in 2004, joined the Rush prior to the start of the 2006 season and was the driving force behind the creation of the Rush's line up as well as orchestrating numerous trades particularly this past off-season to revamp the roster with more scoring punch. But the Rush have struggled to an 0-5 start in the 2008 season - most recently coming off a 14-8 loss in Portland this past Sunday.
Day amassed a 7-30 overall record with the Rush. The Rush won just one game in their inaugural season, finishing the year with a league-worst 1-15 mark. The club rebounded somewhat in 2007 to finish 6-10 after a second-half charge to a playoff spot was quelled over the final games.
Jomha has long been one of lacrosse's leading figures in Edmonton especially through his work with the Miners Junior A program. Milligan, who was part of Day's coaching staff in Rochester, also serves as a coach with Peterborough in Ontario's summer Major Series.
"The entire Rush organization would like to thank Paul, A.J., and Jim for their work. This was not an easy decision to make considering their devotion to the Rush but ultimately the coaching staff is largely responsible for a team's success or failure," added Vienneau. "We are hopeful that under new direction we can turn things around and live up to the expectations and hopes of our great fans."
"We are determined to win games and to make the playoffs."
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