CARLSTADT, NJ (Feb. 16, 1999) -- New Jersey Red Dogs' team president, Joe Morris, announced today that the third year Arena Football franchise has named their new head coach, Frank Mattiace, who will replace John Hufnagel, who left to join the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
Mattiace, 38, played five years as a professional in both the NFL and the USFL. Frank played nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. He also played for the hometown New Jersey Generals in the USFL. Frank was very active in the community with all three teams, especially here in New Jersey where he was a featured speaker at most fund raiser events. Mattiace also was very active in the fight against drugs in sports and was often found lecturing on the subject.
"I am very excited that Frank is back with the Red Dogs family. We exhausted our search and we found the best candidate for our team," said Morris. "He fits the certain mold of character that we are trying to build in this team. He will continue with some of the philosophies of John Hufnagel, but adding his stroke to this team and hopefully get us to the next level."
Mattiace, a former Red Dogs defensive line coach, is making his professional debut as a head coach. Frank was most recently the head coach for the Saint Peter's Boys High School in Staten Island. He led the Eagles to their first ever C.H.S.F.L AAA Playoffs appearance in 1998, where they made it to the quarter finals. Last season Mattiace served as a consultant to the Red Dogs and was frequently seen on the sidelines at home games.
"I am ecstatic. I think we have a lot of work to do, we have a great nucleus of players and ultimately we have our main goal in mind but we are going to do it in stages," said Mattiace. "Right now I want to get the staff completed, talk to the players and get to work. I feel like I was always a part of the Red Dogs family, I always wanted to take part in as much as I could and I am glad to be back."