Avengers fire coach

Ed Hodgkiss was fired by the Avengers on Tuesday, three days after his team failed to qualify for the Arena Football League playoffs for the second time in three years.

Hodgkiss had a 58-58 mark in his seven years with L.A., including a 1-5 postseason record. Although six of eight teams in the American Conference qualify for the playoffs, the Avengers finished the season 5-11 and last in the Western Division.

“The coaching staff worked tirelessly and was extremely dedicated to the goal of winning an Arena Bowl championship, but the production simply wasn’t there in recent seasons,” Avengers owner Casey Wasserman said in a statement.

A year ago, the Avengers signed Hodgkiss to a contract extension through the 2011 season with an option for 2012.

“I’m sorry that we couldn’t get the program to the ArenaBowl,” Hodgkiss said in a statement. “Even though we felt like we did a good job over the course of years, it is probably best that we part ways.”

Offensive coordinator Brent Winter and defensive coordinator Michael Church were also released as were assistants Greg Hopkins and Johnnie Williams, who both were under contract through the 2008 season.

-- Lonnie White