Empire Football League

Sunday, June 05, 2005

06/05/2005

Woodward Named Eagles' Head Coach

By: STAFF REPORT

The Scranton Eagles have a new leader.

It's a familiar face as semipro football veteran Mike Woodward, who has played with the Eagles since 2000, was named head coach on Saturday.

"I'm very optimistic if we get the players I think we can, we will win some games," he said at a tryout session at Riverfront Sports Complex after his hiring was announced.

Although this is his first head coaching job, Woodward feels he has the experience and knowledge needed to return the Eagles to the paths of glory in the Empire Football League. Since joining the club in 2000 he has played linebacker, but in the past has spent time at just about position and also helped coach. Last year he coached the special teams.

"There's just about a month before the season and we have much work to do,'' Woodward said. ''We're going to go with what we have, put the best players in the positions that best suit them. They will be ready."

Woodward, a native Virginian who played at Germania Colllege and had tryouts with the Miami Dolphins in 1990 and 1991, will direct his first practice Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at McDade Park. He hopes to practice there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at McDade during the season.

"There will be some growing pains and we will make a few mistakes, but I'm very happy with what I saw here today," Woodward said.

The Eagles will travel to Albany on July 8 for their EFL opener against the Mallers. The home opener will be against Ottawa July 15 at Scranton Memorial Stadium, where they will play all five of their home games.

# posted by American Football Association : 10:52 PM

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