Colorado Mammoth Message Board

Since NLL.com just announced that Bob Hamley has been named the new Rush coach (best of luck too him, that team is woefully underperforming), who's going to take over as the Mammoth assistant coach and what are your thoughts?

Also, do the Mammoth get anything as compensation, as Hamley WAS under contract with us (and the Sting for that matter)

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--V

I was wondering how long it was going to take for this one to be asked.

Bob Hamley is a very close personal friend with me as with Coach McMahon. When the Arizona Sting franchise determined that it would go dormant for the year, Hammer was left to wallow in his own juices in Arizona. He would be spending the entire off season doing nothing but cleaning his pool.

Both McMahon and I came to the conclusion that his talents would be wasted on pool cleaning so we asked him to join our staff as an assistant coach. Of course certain conditions existed when we agreed to his contract to be an assistant. One, he was under contract and would continued to be paid by the Arizona franchise, they were honoring his contract. Two, I had to gain permission from the League and from Arizona so that he could co exist with us and Arizona until such time as the Sting returned or was sold. Three, because our contract with him was as an assistant and for a nominal amount of money, we would not stand in his way if a more "permanent" position became available.

Neither Coach McMahon nor myself would ever stand in Hammer's way of gaining another full time position so when Edmonton Rush President Duanne Vienneau called I didn't hesitate to endorse Bob for the position and promptly gave my permission to speak with him. The Rush also contacted the Sting for permission to speak with him, I was not privy to those conversations but obviously they were able to work out any issues there.

Hamley was certainly interested in stabilizing his current situation for he and his family. I know getting back to Canada was a priority for them. Our organization greatly appreciates what Bob did for us in the short term and wish him great success in his new position with the Rush. I have great respect for what Bruce Urban and Duanne Vienneau are doing in Edmonton to grow the game and fill their building and wish them all the success in the world in doing that, Hammer will be a great addition.

The Colorado Mammoth are very solid in the coaching position. Both Russ Heard and Dan Pratt remain with the Mammoth and have been instrumental in assisting McMahon to date. Both have been here for the past three seasons and were very important in the 2006 championship season. We are committed to winning and providing a great product. Our focus remains the same.

So in closing, Hammer, it's not you, its me, and we love you but we aren't in love with you!!!! We will be fine, see you in April!!!

On to Calgary.

SG

Well Said!

Thanks for this almost instantaneous feedback.

Makes perfect sense. Thanks Steve. Agree, he's a cool cat and I do wish him all the best...

_________________
--V

Almost as if he had that up and waiting and did a copy paste. And they wonder why the Mammoth have the best fans? I am sure it has nothing to do with the best org and the best team (biased).

_________________
No one's taller than
the last man standing.

>>>So in closing, Hammer, it's not you, its me, and we love you but we aren't in love with you!!!!

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

But your answer does beg one question - how the hell can an NLL coach afford a pool?

JC