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WEST VALLEY CITY -- The Utah Blaze will have a change in ownership for the 2011 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Logan Hunter and Kristin Murdock, who were partners in the previous ownership group, will now be the sole owners looking forward to the 2011 season.
The team has brought in a new offensive coordinator, Matt Sauk, who led the Spokane Shock to an Arena Bowl Championship, and extended the contract for Ron James, who took over as Head Coach of the Blaze towards the end of last season, through the 2012 season.
"We are going to work tirelessly to make sure we are a contender for a championship every year that I am the Head Coach," James said.
While the product on the field last year was less than stellar, Wednesday's press conference was anything but timid. All involved in the organization were bold in their statements, stating that they are working hard to bring the Blaze back to championship contenders in the AFL.
"We're going to win," new assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Matt Sauk said. "I'm a winner, and I will accept nothing less."
The AFL, which came back to life last year as a restructured league, will start their season earlier next year, playing games in March to better correspond with the end of the NFL season. The league also extended the regular season to 18 games.
"The AFL is here to stay," newly appointed team president Bill Gibson said.
