Alaska Wild promote Palmer man to head coach

April 20, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE - Palmer's Hans Deemer thought his work as an assistant coach with the Alaska Wild professional indoor football team would open a few doors for him - maybe not this quickly.

The first-year franchise named Deemer, a former high school assistant coach in the Valley, its head coach on Tuesday.

&#8220(It opened) a big door,” Deemer said of his experience with the club Wednesday as he was preparing for his team's first road trip of the year. &#8220It's a wonderful opportunity, and I hope to make the most of it.”

Deemer's promotion comes on the heels of a tumultuous few days for the expansion club.

Just hours after the Wild made their franchise debut on April 12, owner David Weatherholt fired then head coach Keith Evans.

On April 14, the team's vice president of football operations, Randy Magner, took on the title of head coach. But on Monday, Magner - formerly the

longtime head coach of the Colony football program - opted to resign from both positions.

Once the Wild organization saw its head coaching position vacant for the fourth time in less than a year - the Wild's first head coach Haywood Hill never made it to Alaska - Deemer said Wild management approached him about filling the void.

&#8220I was ready,” Deemer said.

Deemer coached prep linemen at both Colony and Palmer before making the move from traditional 11-man football, to the eight-man indoor game. He was at Colony from 1996-2001 and Palmer from 2002-2006. Deemer has also coached youth football in the Valley.

The job with the Wild marks Deemer's first opportunity to be a head coach. Deemer said it will be an adjustment, but a chance like this is something he said he has worked for all of his life.

&#8220This is a serious deal,” Deemer said. &#8220I love this game.”

Deemer served on Magner's coaching staff, while both were at Colony High. Magner classified the new head of the Wild staff as a player's coach. Magner said his only concern would be Deemer's lack of experience as a head coach, but said Deemer is motivated to be successful.

&#8220He's definitley into it, excited about it,” Magner said. &#8220He's confident he can do it.”

Deemer will also oversee the defense, he said, and assistant coach Abe Hernandez will call the plays on offense.

Players Devin Myles, an Anchorage product, and Nian Taylor, a former Washington State University standout, will also serve on the coaching staff, Deemer said.

Alaska suffered a 46-33 to the Frisco Thunder in the team's debut. Despite the loss, the Wild scored 33-second half points in front of a nearly sold out crowd at the Sullivan Arena.

Deemer was positive about the team's ability to build toward the future. He said the turmoil is most visible outside of the organization, and even with the off-the-field controversy, the team has continued to bond.

&#8220To have that many things going on, it does sound like a roller coaster on the outside,” Deemer said. &#8220But it's brought (the players) together.”

Wild stuff …. Jeremy Johnson, a 1992 graduate of Palmer High School and the head coach of the Colony High School boys' soccer team, made his professional football debut in the loss. The placekicker finished the game 3-for-5 on extra point attempts. He had six kickoffs for 266 yards, and missed a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter … On the sidelines was Wasilla High School graduate Rheannon Owen. The local gymnastics and cheerleading prodigy is part of the Alaska Wild's first cheerleading squad.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.