Arizona Rattlers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arizona Rattlers | ||
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| Conference | American | |
| Division | Western | |
| Year founded | 1992 | |
| Home arena | US Airways Center | |
| City, State | Phoenix, Arizona | |
| Wild card titles | 8: 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006 |
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| Division titles | 5: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004 |
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| Conference titles | 5: 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
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| ArenaBowl championships | 2: 1994, 1997 |
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Arizona Rattlers are an Arena Football League team, based in Phoenix, Arizona, that began play as a 1992 expansion team.
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[edit] History
The team began play in 1992. They play their home games in the US Airways Center, which they share with the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Rattlers are one of the AFL's leading franchises and are currently one of the Arena Football teams with the longest tenure in one city, surpassed only by two other traditional powerhouses, the Tampa Bay Storm and the Orlando Predators. Their unique, copper-colored helmets and rattlesnake logo make their merchandise some of the AFL's most popular. They were coached by former Dallas Cowboys and Arizona State University star Danny White, which had lent considerable credibility to the team over the years. The Rattlers currently compete in the Western Division of the American Conference.
The Rattlers were ArenaBowl champions in 1994 and 1997. They also have the distinction of being the only club to lose three consecutive ArenaBowls, in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Rattlers released Coach White after losing the championship to their rivals, the San Jose SaberCats, in 2004. On August 5, 2004, the Rattlers introduced former San Jose SaberCats and New York Dragons coach Todd Shell as the second head coach in franchise history. Shell later resigned on September 1, 2005 following his arrest for possession of cocaine. General Manger Gene Nudo was named his replacement on September 15. Head Athletic Trainer Matt Anderson, currently in his 16th season with the team, is the only original Rattler employee still working for the franchise.
[edit] Season-by-season
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2nd Western | -- |
| 1993 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2nd AC | Lost Week 2 (Detroit) |
| 1994 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2nd AC | Won ArenaBowl VIII (Orlando) |
| 1995 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2nd AC Western | Lost Week 1 (Iowa) |
| 1996 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1st AC Western | Lost Week 2 (Iowa) |
| 1997 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1st AC Western | Won ArenaBowl XI (Iowa) |
| 1998 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1st AC Western | Lost Week 2 (Orlando) |
| 1999 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1st AC Western | Lost Week 2 (Albany) |
| 2000 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2nd AC Western | Lost Week 2 (Orlando) |
| 2001 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2nd AC Western | Lost Week 2 (San Jose) |
| 2002 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2nd AC Western | Lost ArenaBowl XVI (San Jose) |
| 2003 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 3rd AC Western | Lost ArenaBowl XVII (Tampa Bay) |
| 2004 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1st AC Western | Lost ArenaBowl XVIII (San Jose) |
| 2005 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 4th AC Western | -- |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 2nd AC Western | Lost Week 2 (San Jose) |
| *2007 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5th AC Western | -- |
| Totals | 158 | 88 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
* = Current Standing
[edit] Head coaches
- 1992-2004: Danny White, 121-55
- 2005: Todd Shell, 7-9
- 2006-Present: Gene Nudo 9-9
[edit] Notable players/recruits (current and former)
- Sherdrick Bonner
- Siaha Burley
- Hunkie Cooper
- Donnie Davis
- Cecil Doggette
- Aaron Garcia
- Evan Hlavacek
- Chris Horn
- Paul Justin
- Calvin Schexnayder
- Cedric Walker
[edit] External links
- Arizona Rattlers Official Website
- Arizona Rattlers at ArenaFan Online
- Rattler Report
- Arizona Rattlers at ArenaFootballNetwork.com
