Avengers Close to Hiring Coach

Ed Hodgkiss, offensive coordinator for the Arena League Indiana Firebirds, was scheduled to meet with Avenger officials again Monday regarding the team’s head coaching position.

Casey Wasserman said no deal was imminent, but sources familiar with the negotiations said Hodgkiss was “close” to agreeing to a contract.

Hodgkiss, along with interim coach Robert Lyles, is one of several candidates the Avengers have interviewed to replace Stan Brock, who was fired three games into the 2001 season. Lyles guided the Avengers to five wins in their final 11 games.

The Avengers were interested in Nashville Katz Coach Pat Sperduto, but he decided to stay in Nashville even though the franchise is moving to Atlanta. He will become the director of operations for the expansion team owner Bud Adams is putting in the city. The new team will begin play between 2002 and 2004.