Post by KING 7 on Sept 2, 2008 8:05:00 GMT -5
By Shawn Singleton
Morning News
ssingleton@florencenews.com
Published: September 1, 2008
FLORENCE — Never at a loss for words, Bennie King arrived in Florence from Lakeland last November with one goal in mind — to turn the Phantoms from cellar dwellers to American Indoor Football Association champions.
After accomplishing that goal in grand fashion, King is moving on.
King left the Phantoms on Monday to pursue opportunities in the Arena Football League.
“This is a great day for the AIFA when we can move not only players, but front-office personnel to the next level,” AIFA president and co-owner John Morris said. “It just shows how this league has grown and where it is going.”
Two teams are vying for King’s services in their personnel departments. The Chicago Rush and Arizona Rattlers both made the playoffs last season and feel King is the final piece in getting the necessary players to reach and win the Arena Bowl.
“Bennie meant a lot to this organization,” former Florence lineman Preston Johnson said. “He brought in an all-star team that won a title. I wish him the very best.”
“I came to Florence and a situation where I could challenge myself. I turned a 4-9 team into a champion,” said King, who also won an AIFA title as general manager in Lakeland. “I’m pretty hot right now, and now it’s time to move on.
“I’m completely satisfied at this level and now I want to do the same in the AFL.”
Johnson has replaced King as general manager. The former Seattle Seahawk is confident he can bring in the talent needed to keep the Phantoms’ winning ways going.
“I don’t feel any pressure, none at all,” Johnson said. “Since I’m both a player and an agent, I know this game inside and out. I was groomed to deal with pressure since I was a child.
“I’m excited to take on this challenge and prove to the people of Florence that last year wasn’t a fluke.”
King was instrumental in laying the foundation for a smooth transfer of power.
“He is my mentor. If I ever need help, he’s always a phone call away,” Johnson said. “He stayed on an extra six weeks (after the AIFA championship game) so everything could be set up.”
No matter what happens with the 2009 version of the Phantoms, King wants the fans to give Johnson the same support he was given.
“I think it’s unfair to put expectations on (Johnson),” he said. “We have a great situation in Florence now, so it’s not going to be as hard to keep a winning team on the field.
“My advice is to keep the winning blueprint, but establish his own identity.”
King added he is leaving Florence after accomplishing everything he set out to do.
“When people speak of me, they’ll know me as someone that lost one game at home in two years with two different teams,” he said. “They’ll say I turned a four-win team into a 13-win team that won a championship.”
Morning News
ssingleton@florencenews.com
Published: September 1, 2008
FLORENCE — Never at a loss for words, Bennie King arrived in Florence from Lakeland last November with one goal in mind — to turn the Phantoms from cellar dwellers to American Indoor Football Association champions.
After accomplishing that goal in grand fashion, King is moving on.
King left the Phantoms on Monday to pursue opportunities in the Arena Football League.
“This is a great day for the AIFA when we can move not only players, but front-office personnel to the next level,” AIFA president and co-owner John Morris said. “It just shows how this league has grown and where it is going.”
Two teams are vying for King’s services in their personnel departments. The Chicago Rush and Arizona Rattlers both made the playoffs last season and feel King is the final piece in getting the necessary players to reach and win the Arena Bowl.
“Bennie meant a lot to this organization,” former Florence lineman Preston Johnson said. “He brought in an all-star team that won a title. I wish him the very best.”
“I came to Florence and a situation where I could challenge myself. I turned a 4-9 team into a champion,” said King, who also won an AIFA title as general manager in Lakeland. “I’m pretty hot right now, and now it’s time to move on.
“I’m completely satisfied at this level and now I want to do the same in the AFL.”
Johnson has replaced King as general manager. The former Seattle Seahawk is confident he can bring in the talent needed to keep the Phantoms’ winning ways going.
“I don’t feel any pressure, none at all,” Johnson said. “Since I’m both a player and an agent, I know this game inside and out. I was groomed to deal with pressure since I was a child.
“I’m excited to take on this challenge and prove to the people of Florence that last year wasn’t a fluke.”
King was instrumental in laying the foundation for a smooth transfer of power.
“He is my mentor. If I ever need help, he’s always a phone call away,” Johnson said. “He stayed on an extra six weeks (after the AIFA championship game) so everything could be set up.”
No matter what happens with the 2009 version of the Phantoms, King wants the fans to give Johnson the same support he was given.
“I think it’s unfair to put expectations on (Johnson),” he said. “We have a great situation in Florence now, so it’s not going to be as hard to keep a winning team on the field.
“My advice is to keep the winning blueprint, but establish his own identity.”
King added he is leaving Florence after accomplishing everything he set out to do.
“When people speak of me, they’ll know me as someone that lost one game at home in two years with two different teams,” he said. “They’ll say I turned a four-win team into a 13-win team that won a championship.”