Title: A unique perspective on Force history
tallygal73 - August 17, 2005 07:37 PM (GMT)
A unique perspective on Force history By Matthew L. Kunkel
GeorgiaForce.com
06/11/05
Eric Zeier, Ron Carpenter, Robert Lyles, Stan Whitlock, Scott Szeredy, Steve McDougal, Donnie Davis, Darryl Hammond, Marty Lowe, Bruce McClure, Dan Curran, Tyrone Jones, Markeith Cooper, Vince Dooley… all figures (and many more) who, for better or for worse, have at one time or another been at the center of the Georgia Force universe… and no longer are.
Kronenberg looks on at the first ever Georgia game, a pre-season scrimmage on April 4, 2002, between the Force and the LA Avengers in Bakersfield, CA.
The four-year history and turnover of the state of Georgia's first experience in the AFL has enough history to be a decade in the telling. Still, the one constant that has sustained all the ups and downs and stands still to tell the tale is one Robert (Bob) Kronenberg.
Defensive Coordinator Bob Kronenberg has seen more of the Georgia Force than practically anyone. Named Assistant Head Coach in 2002 for the Force's inaugural season, Kronenberg served under Head Coach Robert Lyles, who was dismissed after going 1-4 in his first 5 games, and then Marty Lowe, who was relieved of his duties in 2004 in the midst of a disappointing season and following a 30-7 defeat at home against the Orlando Predators. He was then named interim head coach for the remainder of the season and led the Force back to a promising finish, going 3-2, including two home wins to finish the season.
A strong candidate to take the job full time this past off-season, the new ownership of Arthur Blank decided instead to turn to former NFL great Doug Plank, fresh off three consecutive ArenaBowl appearances. While Kronenberg will admit that at first he was somewhat disappointed, any hint of regret is long gone.
Asked if he was glad he stayed after a whirlwind 11-5 regular season with home-field advantage in the playoffs, Kronenberg said "I was glad as soon as I met Doug Plank.”
Now in final preparation for the team's first ArenaBowl appearance and on the precipice of bringing the first professional football championship to the state of Georgia, Kronenberg can briefly look back and smile, if painfully at times, and reflect on what has made the difference.
"It's very simple,” says Kronenberg. "The difference is Arthur Blank and Doug Plank.”
Most would agree, and while both Blank and Plank are famous for being eager to share the credit and praise liberally, it takes little more than a calculator to see the direct effect the two have had. This year, the latest in the series of annual overhauls for the franchise, it seems we finally got it right.
Kronenberg played lineman for the Nashville Kats in 1999 and 2000 before becoming an assistant coach in 2001, giving him the experinece of both playing and coaching in the ArenaBowl.
In fact, Kronenberg's history with the organization goes as far back as being one of the few figures left over from the franchise's earlier iteration in Nashville, both as a player and a coach. The ArenaBowl is therefore not a new experience for him (Nashville lost the last two before the franchise was purchased and moved to Georgia), and lends itself to many comparison's with this year's National Conference Champion.
"One thing that's very similar for both teams is that they both have great chemistry. In Nashville they were a bunch of guys who liked being together both on the field and off, and to me that really stands out about this team. In terms of talent I would say this team is about on par with some of the best that we had in Nashville . Fortunately where that team was getting a little older, this team is so young, and the guys really like being here and being a part of this, so I think this is certainly something we can sustain.”
AFL Coach of the Year Doug Plank made chemistry a very important factor for the team from day one. In trimming down the training camp roster at the beginning of the year he stated that "the guys we rare looking for are not necessarily the most athletic, or even the most experienced. You can be a fantastic football player, but it's not an individual game. We are in the business to build a team, so as they say we're looking for the right players, not just the best players.”
Still, the talent has certainly abounded, thanks largely to the nurturing and facilitating conditions that the coaching staff has been able to develop. That environment also includes more stability than it has in years past, which Kronenberg cites as a key to continued success for Georgia .
"The ownership in Arthur Blank and administration in Dick Sullivan and Nick Polk have made a commitment to keeping this coaching staff intact as much as possible to continue to build and sustain this level of success well into the future.”
Player turnover has also been a key factor in the history of the team, including over half this year's roster.
"Any team that has success in the AFL – San Jose, Orlando, Tampa… those teams were always able to keep that core group of veteran players around so you could plug in new people and the system never changes, the attitude never changes, and the way you go about your business never changes. That's something we've never had. Every year to date has brought a total makeover to the team, but this year the pieces came together that can really put that in motion.”
Being a part of the new age of the Georgia Force is something that few people who remember some of the rougher days have had the opportunity to do. In fact even in the front office the only other figure who has been a part from day one is Director of Media Relations, Jason Gilham, who ironically left the Atlanta Falcons to join the team in its first season. However Kronenberg is quick to point out the other factor that has remained besides himself, and that is the growing band of Force fans who have stayed by the team through some of the rougher times.
"For me it has really been about the people, the fans that stuck around who we can really share this with. We really appreciate the newcomers as well and we're glad they're here and hope they are here for the long haul, but it's especially the fans who have been here since the start and are still here that help really make it special.”