Trigg throws hat into coaching ring

GRAND RAPIDS -- Michael Trigg guided the Grand Rapids Rampage from their Arena Football League beginnings in 1998 to an ArenaBowl championship four seasons later. Now, four seasons after Trigg last worked here, the winningest coach in franchise history said he hopes for another opportunity to lead the Rampage. The team is in the market for a coach after opting not to bring back Sparky McEwen for a fourth season. McEwen, a Grand Rapids native, compiled a 13-35 record in three seasons with no winning years and no playoff appearances. Trigg left the Rampage after the 2003 season to coach the AFL's expansion Philadelphia Soul. That was the last year the Rampage made the playoffs. Grand Rapids had its worst record (1-15) in 2004 under the direction of Bob Cortese. Rampage general manager Scott Woodruff said he has a list of five potential head coaching candidates, but said he would not name them because some are still coaching in the AFL playoffs. Woodruff would not say whether Trigg was among the five candidates, but said he was one of the first to fax his resumé to the Rampage. "There's no question I have interest in the position," said Trigg, 41, who is finishing his first season as head coach of the Arenafootball2 Corpus Christi Sharks, who have a 2-10 record. "I look back at my coaching days in Grand Rapids and I have nothing but good memories of winning a championship, making the playoffs and the number of games that went down to the last possession that had everyone on the edge of their seats. "Since I've left, I haven't had the same type of (coaching) thrills, plus, I've always felt like Grand Rapids was my AFL home," Trigg said. "It's where I raised my family (that includes wife Susan and three boys, ages 9, 8 and 2 1/2). "Maybe I can help the organization once again, and in turn, they can help me and my family." Philly was next stop Trigg and the Rampage decided to part ways after the 2003 season though he was under contract for 2004. Trigg coached the Soul for 2004 and five games into the 2005 season before the team fired him. Trigg returned to his hometown area of San Antonio and didn't return to coaching until this season. "I've maintained a very good friendship with Trigg the whole time he's been gone," said Woodruff, who worked in the Rampage front office during Trigg's stint here. "I think highly of him as a person and a coach, and I would be more surprised if his name didn't come up (as a coaching candidate) because of the success he had and the familiarity people have with him. "When we select our new head coach, we will be looking for someone who can win now, can build and sustain a winning program and will represent the Rampage organization well in the community," Woodruff said. "I would like to have a coach named by early August." Woodruff said he's probably two or three weeks away from announcing his list of candidates. Woodruff said he plans to talk to all the candidates to communicate the team's interest and confirm the candidates' interest level in the position.