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Post by Gene on Jul 31, 2007 14:32:55 GMT -5
 Reading Express News Release
The Reading Express announced today that GM Bernie Nowotarski will also be taking over as Head Coach. The Express also announced that Chris Thompson has been named as the new Asst.GM/Offensive Coordinator. Coaches Kenny Miller and Steve Gaunt will also remain on the coaching staff.
Nowotarski is an Exeter High School grad and a Kutztown University grad and a member of both schools Hall Of Fame. In college, he was a 1st team small college All-American. Nowotarski spent time in the Seattle Seahawks camp as well as the Detroit Lions and the Michigan Panthers in the USFL. Nowotarski has been with The Express from its inception, first as an Asst.GM/DB Coach and last season as the GM/DB Coach. He is a native of Reading, Pa. where he resides with his wife April and children Lacey, Maggie, Mia, Giovanni and Brody.
Thompson is a graduate of Manheim Central HS and Bloomsburg University. As the Quarterback of Bloomsburg, Chris led the Huskies to the Division II 2000 National Championship game as well as the 2001 NCAA playoffs. They also won back-to-back Conference Championships in 2000 and 2001 when Chris was there and was named 1st team All-Conference. Chris also has 4 years of arena football experience, with 2 of those years with Reading Express as the back-up quarterback. Chris is currently residing in Manheim Township.
For more information or questions contact The Reading Express Office at 610-372-7277 or check out the Express Website at www.expressindoorfootball.com for team and e-mail information |
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Post by Gene on Jul 31, 2007 14:34:23 GMT -5
Congratulations Bernie. You know this team/organization inside out and have built it up to be the winner it is. You are more than well deserving of the promotion. Best of Luck!  Also, congratulations to Chris Thompson on his promotion to Asst. GM/Off Coord. We all know you'll do a GREAT job Chris. Good Luck!  |
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Post by Free Agent Fan on Jul 31, 2007 14:50:49 GMT -5
Congrats Bernie! It was well deserved.  |
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picman
Moderator 
FAB Member
Posts: 753
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Post by picman on Jul 31, 2007 20:40:50 GMT -5
Congrats Bernie, I hope they don't burn you out, next they have you selling popcorn at halftime
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Jul 31, 2007 21:37:14 GMT -5
Congrats Bernie. What happened to Coach Logan?
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Post by Gene on Aug 1, 2007 14:43:20 GMT -5
Congrats Bernie. What happened to Coach Logan? Too much travel for Coach Logan and he couldnt put in the amount of time needed to coach the team and spend time with his own family. |
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Post by Gene on Aug 1, 2007 14:47:34 GMT -5
Nowotarski takes over Express
Bernie Nowotarski is named Reading’s third head coach in as many years. He’ll continue as general manager.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
As the new head coach of the Reading Express, Bernie Nowotarski knows he has a tough act to follow. Make that two tough acts.
Just more than a month after the Express played for the American Indoor Football Association championship, Nowotarski was announced as the team’s head coach Tuesday afternoon at the Pike Café.
Nowotarski, who will remain the team’s general manager, replaces Kelly Logan. Logan was voted the AIFA Coach of the Year in his only season when he led the Express to a 16-3 record and a berth in the league championship game.
Because Logan lives in New Jersey, he was unable to devote enough time to coaching and his family, according to Express owner Ted Lavender. Lavender said the decision for Logan not to return was “mutual.”
“We wanted a head coach who was local; he wanted more time with his family,” Lavender said. “Kelly is a great guy, a great coach. I love him. I didn’t like to see this.”
Lavender, who purchased the team one game into the 2007 season, didn’t need to look far to find the Express’ third coach in three years. He chose Nowotarski, the franchise’s first employee as an assistant general manager who also was defensive backs coach for the past two seasons.
The first season was under coach/general manager Ollie Guidry, who took the Express to the Northern Conference championship game during a 13-3 inaugural season. Guidry was the league’s Coach of the Year in 2006.
“They’re both real tough acts to follow,” Nowotarski said. “All I can guarantee at this point is we will work hard, we will be disciplined and we will be good in the community. I’m not about to promise a won-loss record. That would be senseless.”
What made sense to Lavender was to name Nowotarski head coach after his timeless devotion to the franchise since its inception, coupled with his football background.
Nowotarski, 47, played at Exeter High and Kutztown University, was with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions in the NFL and has been an assistant coach at Exeter, Central Catholic and Schuylkill Valley high schools.
“Football is something I love doing,” Nowotarski said. “I’ve been doing it since I was 6 years old. I’m still playing a kids’ game every day.”
His love for the sport helped Nowotarski get the Express through some tough times during its first offseason and the start of the 2007 campaign before Lavender and his wife, Lisa, of Berks Fire Water Restorations, Inc. purchased the team.
“I will do whatever this team needs me to do,” Nowotarski said. “I’m not too big to go paint the field. I’m not too big to go to an airport to pick up a player.”
To make his job a little easier, Nowotarski announced the hiring of Chris Thompson as assistant GM and offensive coordinator. Thompson, a Manheim Central grad, was the backup quarterback for the Express in 2006 and returned late last season to help with coaching.
“This actually is a dream come true for me,” said Thompson, 29. “I’m not getting any younger and to have an opportunity like this, I’d be a fool to turn it down.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
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Post by mudcatmaniac on Aug 1, 2007 20:49:46 GMT -5
Hat's off to you Bernie..... as we say in the south: "You're busier than a one - legged man in a butt kicking contest". Good luck to you and congratulations!!! Come on down to Elvis Land anytime and we'll treat you to a catfish dinner!
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Post by Standard Deviation on Aug 2, 2007 18:05:31 GMT -5
Congrats Bernie, Reading shouldnt miss a beat with you at the helm.  |
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Post by Coach Bernie on Aug 2, 2007 20:40:20 GMT -5
thank you all....would love a catfish dinner....see some of you in miami at the end of the month
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Post by expressgmwife on Aug 8, 2007 20:48:47 GMT -5
I just want to say how proud I am of my husband! Good luck and I know you can do this! See ya sometime next year! HA!
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Post by Coach Bernie on Aug 8, 2007 21:42:35 GMT -5
i gotta thank my wife for her support....being a gm/head coaches wife takes a special person and i'm glad your mine
now ...another Express Signing....West Chester Univ. 1st team all conference and 1st team div.ii all-american wide recdiever Brandon Simmons...welcome
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Post by mudcatmaniac on Aug 8, 2007 22:21:30 GMT -5
Great Job you two - it's great to see a strong couple in the league. I look forward to meeting you guys. Congrats Chris also on the promotion - you'll be great in that role. Let us know how we can help you guys in the south.
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Post by Gene on Aug 9, 2007 7:46:55 GMT -5
Great Job you two - it's great to see a strong couple in the league. I look forward to meeting you guys. Congrats Chris also on the promotion - you'll be great in that role. Let us know how we can help you guys in the south. Well you could help in that if we play you in 2008 maybe you guys can let us win? We'll never ask for anything ever again, i swear.......... ;D :smileymudcats: |
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Post by Coach Bernie on Aug 9, 2007 8:02:35 GMT -5
hey guys
just givin yall fair warning....as you can see my wife has joined the site....she's a tough sports wife, she'll give it right back to ya...but lets not forget she is a mother and a football wife....let the games begin!!!lol
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