Tom Menas is no longer the head coach of the Albany Empire, owner Mike Kwarta said Thursday evening.
“We’re just looking to go in a different direction,” Kwarta said. He informed Menas of the decision late Thursday afternoon.
News 10 ABC first reported that the two-time National Arena League championship coach had been let go.
“When you have new ownership groups put together, I respect what their vision is; their vision may not be my vision,” Menas said. “It’s just time to part ways. No hard feelings, no blood in the water.”
Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown recently joined the Empire’s ownership group, and father Eddie Brown, who played for the team in the 1990s, was named vice president of operations.
The move comes just two days before the start of the NAL season. The Empire have a bye in the first week and play their first game at home at MVP Arena on Sunday, April 15.
Menas joined the team weeks before the start of the 2021 season, after the unexpected departure of Rob Keefe, who coached the Empire in their final season as an Arena Football League franchise.
He won back-to-back NAL titles in Albany and was under contract until 2025.
“I would have liked to try to get a three-peat, that would have been really special for me,” Menas said. But “I’m really in a great spot in my mind and my heart. I’m proud of what I accomplished. I (left) it better than I found it, kind of thing.”
Damon Ware, formerly the offensive coordinator, will be the interim head coach.
“We’re very confident in what Damon can do. He’s a big reason the offense has put up the points that it has over the last couple of seasons,” Kwarta said. “We definitely wish Tom all the best, and he’s been instrumental in the last couple of years helping us get the team…
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