Explosion confirms 2009 season home dates

Explosion coach steps down after two years

After two years as head coach of the Snohomish County Explosion, Randy Redwine is stepping down.

With a record of 31-15, Coach Redwine had accomplished what he set out to do for the Monroe Explosion franchise: win games and be competitive, according to an Explosion news release.

“It was a great honor to have Randy as the head coach for the Explosion’s first two seasons, and I cannot thank him enough for his time and energy.” said Nathan Mumm, President of Courtyard Media Foundation. “We understand that coaching the team takes tons of time and personal energy and Randy deserves to enjoy life and basketball at a pace that is conducive to his lifestyle. Randy will always be a part of the Explosion family and we will have tickets reserved for him at every home game for many seasons to come."

General manager Brad Sturlaugson has narrowed his list of managerial candidates to six, including former Explosion sharpshooter Chris Weakley, and previous head coach from Northwest Indian College, Jamie Sluys.

Sturlaugson calls organizational ties like the one Weakley has with Explosion “a plus,” but not the deciding factor. At press time, both Sturlaugson and Mumm hoped to have the first round of interviews completed this past weekend and said that the one common thread among the current candidates is they all have backgrounds in winning organizations.

“We are not very far away from putting a championship team together,” Sturlaugson commented, adding that the eventual coaching choice will need to supply energy and enthusiasm to the team.

“We can’t thank Randy enough for his contribution getting this organization off the ground floor, without him, we would not be where we are today as a team. Now, we need to move forward and take the next step in the team’s future,” he said.
“We want to win right now.” Mumm said, “Looking back and seeing that Bellingham won the championship and the Explosion went 1-2 during the season against them gives us great hope.''

Sturlaugson added the time is now. “We'll give it our best shot for 2009 and keep a much more stable lineup. How realistic that is, we'll have to see how as the team begins to unfold, and how the new group of players work with a new style and direction.''

"I know what the fans want," said Mumm. It was fun here last year, but we were an old team that could not come out at halftime with the young legs other teams had, so the organization is looking to go much younger.” We were in contention all last year but could not keep a stable core of players all season long. This is an area we need to correct this year.”

The Explosion look to begin open tryouts in January and to have a coach named and in place before Christmas.

Season tickets are on sale for as low as $70 for the complete season at www.explosionbasketball.net or by phone at (425) 339-2255 (BALL).
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