Rattlers lose out on Force asst., set for more interviews this week

Richard Obert
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 1, 2007 12:00 AM

The Rattlers' coaching candidates appear to have been reduced by one with Georgia Force offensive coordinator Steve Thonn expected to be announced as the Grand Rapids Rampage's new head coach today, according to a source.

The Rattlers initially targeted Force head coach Doug Plank, a former Rattlers defensive coordinator, to be their coach, but Plank, the Arena Football League's Coach of the Year two of the past three seasons, agreed to stay in Georgia for three more years.

The Rattlers interviewed Thonn last week in New Orleans, where the ArenaBowl was played between Columbus and San Jose on Sunday.

Plank said that if he had gone to Arizona, Thonn would have come with him as his offensive coordinator.

Thonn, a three-sport star at Wheaton College (Ill.) would be closer to his roots by taking the Grand Rapids position.

Also interviewed for the Rattlers position was Chicago Rush defensive backs coach and Vice President of Player Personnel Brian Schwartze and Utah Blaze defensive coordinator and former Rattlers standout Hunkie Cooper.

The Rattlers this week are interviewing Columbus Destroyers offensive coordinator Skip Foster, along with Terry Malley and Kevin Guy, the offensive and defensive coordinators for San Jose.