Gladiators name Wilpolt head coach


LAS VEGAS, NV -- The Las Vegas Gladiators took their first major step towards the 2008 season yesterday, naming Mike Wilpolt as their new head coach.

Wilpolt, 39, served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Avengers the past three seasons and is no stranger to Las Vegas. After beginning his AFL playing career in 1992 with the Charlotte Rage, he spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Sting from 1994-1995.

Having served as an interim head coach in Indiana for the Firebirds in March 2004 is what stood out the most to the Gladiators organization. After the team lost its first five games under coach Steve DeBerg, Wilpolt took the controls and led Indiana to six consecutive victories. The club ended the season with an 8-8 record giving Wilpolt an 8-3 record as a head coach.

The coach told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that even though last season's team went 2-14, the Gladiators still have "a good core to win Arena Football League games."

Wilpolt is the team's fourth coach in five years and Las Vegas has not put together a winning record since going 9-5 in 2002 when the team was in New Jersey.

As for his assistants, Wilpolt said he has hired an experienced staff, but wanted to wait before announcing the names.