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O'Hara Hired By Avengers

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By ADAM ADKINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 26, 2008

TAMPA - Pat O'Hara, the Tampa Bay Storm's offensive coordinator the past two seasons, was named head coach of the Arena Football League's Los Angeles Avengers on Friday.

O'Hara received a three-year contract to replace Ed Hodgkiss, who was fired shortly after the Avengers completed a 5-11 season in 2008. It is the first head coaching job at any level for O'Hara, 39. The California native grew up in the Los Angeles area, a few miles from the Avengers' offices.

"I'm ecstatic," O'Hara said. "I have a lot of work to do. It's a tremendous challenge."

O'Hara spent three seasons as offensive coordinator on Coach Tim Marcum's staff (2005, 2007-08) in Tampa Bay. He also played in the AFL with Tampa Bay and the Orlando Predators and was a member of three league championship teams, including Tampa Bay's last title team in 2003.

O'Hara thanked Marcum, Tampa Bay's longtime coach, for giving him a start in his AFL coaching career and for giving him advice during the interview process with Los Angeles.

"Coach Marcum has been so good to me," O'Hara said. "I wouldn't be where I am without him. I love him like a father."

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