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Back in business Meyer named head coach of XFL's Enforcers
Updated: Thursday October 19, 2000 2:55 PM
By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com Ron Meyer is returning to the sidelines -- as head coach of the XFL's Chicago Enforcers. An analyst on CNN's NFL Preview, Meyer is a two-time AFC Coach of the Year in the NFL. He coached the New England Patriots (1982-84) and Indianapolis Colts (1986-91) as well as the CFL's Las Vegas Posse. Originally approached in September, Meyer accepted an offer to coach the Enforcers during the weekend. "I actually gave my wife the courtesy of informing her first before accepting," he said. XFL President Basil V. DeVito Jr. announced Wednesday that Meyer will take the reins of the Enforcers after Dick Butkus was elevated to Director of Football Competition for the league. "Ron Meyer has been a winning coach at every level of the game," DeVito said. "Adding someone of his stature to the XFL further demonstrates our commitment to providing fans with the highest level of football excellence."
Among Butkus' new duties are monitoring and enforcing XFL rules; reviewing and monitoring team staffing to ensure fairness and consistency among and within teams; representing the league at games, training sessions, mini-camps and tryouts; and participating as a member of the XFL rules committee. Butkus' role will be similar to that played by Frank Robinson at Major League Baseball. "The XFL has been designed, and our rules have been written, to promote an exciting brand of football while at the same time creating an equal playing field and environment for all of our teams," said DeVito. "Who better than Dick Butkus to focus on this aspect of our game?" Said Butkus: "I look forward to the challenges of my new job and I am committed to the XFL and delivering the kind of football I've always been associated with." Meyer is preparing for the league's first draft, which will be held next week. "We have a pool of 1,300 players, and I'm trying to get up to speed. My plan is to hit the ground with both feet running so that I can deliver to the fans of Chicago the exciting football they expect. "I think the league is an interesting concept," he said. "I'm really enthused to be coaching again; it's my first love." Chicago opens training camp Jan. 2, 2001, in Orlando, Fla. The Enforcers kick off the inaugural 10-game season Feb. 3 at Orlando. The league is jointly owned and operated by World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. and NBC.
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