ARENA FOOTBALL

• Ron James named Utah Blaze head coach

  
  

  Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - The Utah Blaze have named Ron James as the new head coach, promoting him from his role as assistant coach. This move comes in the wake of former head coach Danny White's resignation after three seasons with the club, going 21-30.

  James has been the defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the past two seasons, and has been the head coach for the Las Vegas Gladiators - who have since moved to Cleveland - from 2005 to 2006.

  "Ron has been in our system, knows our expectations, and shares our vision of where we need to take our team," Blaze owner John Garff said. "Ron has the confidence of the players, and with that we can make a seamless transition into the 2009 season.

  He is the perfect person for the position." James has been a coach in the Arena Football League for 11 seasons in various positions with Las Vegas, Houston, and Albany. He has also coached 14 years at the collegiate level in various roles.

  07/09 17:30:25 ET