Post by MOnarchsRule on Mar 13, 2007 1:09:04 GMT -5
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The Kansas City Monarchs fired second-year running backs coach Richie Anderson on Monday evening, just four days after he was arrested for allegedly soliciting an undercover Phoenix police officer who was posing as a prostitute as part of a sting operation.
Head coach Donnie Henderson announced the dismissal of Anderson, who was hired last Frebruary, in a statement released by the team. The team also announced the hiring of Kennedy Pola as the new running backs coach from the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Pola joins Steve Walters who came last season from the Jags as WR/TE coach.
"I wanted a chance to review the details of the situation before making any decision," Henderson said. "While it's disappointing, I've decided that this is clearly in the best interest of our team in this particular instance. Our focus now is on preparing for the season and I am confident that with the hiring of Kenneth we will be able to do that relatively soon."
Anderson, 35, was one of five men arrested last Thursday evening at the Pointe South Mountain Resort, the site of the sting operation. He was taken into custody without incident, police said, and held at the Fourth Avenue Jail for a short time before being released on bond.
Police have not released any further details of the incident.
180x240.jpg)
Kennedy Pola
Kennedy Pola joins the Monarchs coaching staff, after having completed his first 3 seasons in the NFL; 2 with the Jaguars (2005-2006) and the Cleveland Browns in 2004. Under Pola, the Jaguars established four standout running backs: Fred Taylor, Greg Jones, LaBrandon Toefield, and Maurice Jones-Drew.
He joined the Browns after working as running backs coach (2000, 2002-03) and special teams coordinator (2001-03) at the University of Southern California. He helped the Trojans capture the Associated Press 2003 National Championship.
Pola began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCLA (1992-93) and helped the Bruins reach the Rose Bowl in his final season. He then spent three seasons as running backs coach at San Diego State, guiding two rushers, Wayne Pittman (1994) and George Jones (1995), to 1,000-yard seasons. He also worked with the special teams in 1996. After two seasons as running backs coach at the University of Colorado, Pola returned to San Diego State and spent the 1999 season as linebackers coach.
A four-year standout at Southern California (1982-85), Pola started at fullback for four seasons after being moved from linebacker during his freshman year.
Pola comes from a football family. His brother, Al, played collegiate football at Penn State (1985-87). He has two nephews, Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Nicky Sualua (Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals), who have played in the NFL, and three additional nephews who played Division I-A college football.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the XFL for ESPN.com.