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Huyghue has served as Commissioner of the United Football League since its inception and oversaw all three seasons of on-field competition in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“I am proud of the quality product we were able to put on the field and the overwhelmingly positive fan response,” said Huyghue.  “While new professional football leagues have struggled to find a niche historically, I believe the UFL exceeded those other attempts.

“The UFL has experienced funding issues and at this juncture it seems most prudent that I step aside while the owners work to raise the necessary funds to conduct a fourth season.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EAST HARTFORD, CT – June 3, 2011 – Colt Brennan, the former Washington Redskins quarterback and a record-setting passer at the University of Hawaii, signed a contract with the Hartford Colonials for the 2011 United Football League season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Brennan (6-3, 212) established numerous NCAA passing records at Hawaii, where he earned All-American honors his final two years and finishing third in the 2007 Heisman Trophy voting. He holds the NCAA single-season record with 58 touchdown passes, a mark achieved in 2006. His 72.6 completion percentage and 186.0 passer efficiency that season are also records. He received the Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top college passer.

Brennan finished his three-year career at Hawaii with 14,193 passing yards, a 70.4 completion percentage and 131 touchdown passes, which was the most ever by an NCAA quarterback until it was surpassed by Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell in 2008.

“The UFL over the last two years has maintained a respect level and has done a lot of things to help a lot of players get back to the NFL. That’s my ultimate goal,” Brennan said. “I’m so excited and grateful to have a chance to play football this fall. My only focus right now is playing for the Hartford Colonials.”

Following a prolific collegiate career, Brennan was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins. He showed great promise as a rookie in the 2008 preseason before his NFL career was derailed by a hip injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the 2009 regular season. Brennan was the passenger in a car crash last November in Hawaii that left him in critical condition.

“With so much that I’ve had to go through over the last couple of years, I’m just really thankful that I have a place to play football this year,” Brennan said. “I’m so excited at the opportunity and potential of being a starting quarterback in a real football game. That hasn’t happened in over three years. I cannot wait. If I get an opportunity to be a starter in a real football game, it will probably be a memory and a moment that lasts me a long time in my life after all I’ve been through the last three years.”

Signing with the Colonials represents a return to New England for Brennan. In 2002, he enrolled as postgraduate student at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. Brennan previously played behind Matt Leinart at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA.

Brennan joins Jerrod Johnson as quarterbacks on Hartford’s roster. Johnson, a former standout at Texas A&M, was the No. 1 overall pick by Hartford in the 2011 UFL Draft. Brennan will be reunited with wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen, his former teammate at Hawaii who signed with the Colonials on May 9.

Brennan, 27, a native of Irvine, CA., spent two-plus years with the Redskins until he was released last August. He signed with the Oakland Raiders a week later before being cut at the end of training camp.

Colonials players report to training camp July 12. The 10-week regular season is scheduled to start a month later.

About The United Football League: The UFL provides high-quality professional football during a traditional fall season while embracing innovation and fan interaction. The UFL serves its local communities with pride and dedication, and aims to provide every fan with an exciting and memorable game experience. The inaugural 2009 champion Las Vegas Locos won a second championship in 2010, lifting the the William Hambrecht Trophy with a 23-20 win over the Florida Tuskers.  The 2011 season will feature the Locos, Hartford Colonials, Omaha Nighthawks, Sacramento Mountain Lions and Virginia Destroyers. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue and is funded by a consortium of private investors. For season tickets, more information and to interact with passionate football fans, please visit www.UFL-Football.com.

Thanks to the Colonials PR Dept.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2011 – HARTFORD, CT:

On Chris Palmer becoming Offensive Coordinator of the Tennessee Titans:

“I certainly celebrate his move. I talked to Chris at some length before he made his decision, and it was a difficult decision. As somebody told me, the past is the past, and I can’t change it. I wish him the best.”

On the appointment of a new head coach ahead of the 2011 season, having met with UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue.

“We are looking for a head coach who to some degree, has some of the same traits that Chris had. There’s quite an element of teaching, and the concept of teaching is really important to help them develop on the field and off the field. It’s highly likely the person will carry the title of coach and general manager.”

On a prospective new coach having ties to the Hartford area:

“It’s a little part of the deal. When we came to Hartford, Chris’ ties to the community were very important, and they would continue to be important. That factor, on the list of the top 10, is a little lower than it was. Overall, it’s important, but slightly less so since we’ve spent a season in Hartford. On balance, if you have some local ties, that would be great.”

On the Colonials being linked with Hartford native Eric Mangini as a potential head coach:

“He is one of the people we would hope to talk to. What comes out of that, I don’t know. I’ve been looking at our Facebook site, and it certainly has generated a lot of conversation. He’s a Connecticut native and he’s had experience. Whether we end up doing anything with him or not, we haven’t sat down yet, so it’s not at all clear whether this timing would work for him.

“That doesn’t mean we’re in negotiations or that he’s going to be the next coach, but he’s certainly on the list.”

On the 2011 UFL season:

“On the field, I don’t think there’s any doubt that we’ll be able to attract good football players. All of the players understand that this is not only a way to get exposure for possibly going to the NFL, but it’s also quite high-caliber football. Off the field, I think what will happen is we will be able to get into our communities with more local control, and develop a brand. It’s a multi-year process. I’m pretty optimistic.”

Image via Wikipedia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2011 – JACKSONVILLE, FL:

“We congratulate Jay Gruden on his appointment with the Cincinnati Bengals. “While Jay’s departure results in the Virginia Destroyers seeking a new head coach, his success is testament to the fact that the teams in the United Football League are led by quality coaches who are in demand at the highest level.

“We have proved that we find the best and brightest coaches and it is the nature of our business that they are then offered opportunities to further their careers.  We are proud of their success and how that reflects on the United Football League.

“Jay is the latest in a long line of coaches who have moved on to the National Football League.  Following the 2009 season Jim Haslett joined the Washington Redskins as offensive coordinator having led his team to the UFL Championship Game and Jay’s Defensive Coordinator with the Tuskers Chuck Bresnahan has joined the Oakland Raiders staff.   Also this year we have seen coaches such as Kevin O’Dea, who went from the Hartford Colonials where he was the special teams coach to the Chicago Bears, further their coaching careers. “Coaches moving between clubs is common at this time of year and we will move on and seek a suitable head coaching candidate in Virginia, who will be introduced to the Destroyers fans in the coming weeks.

“We have also developed more than 70 players who signed to the active rosters and practice squads of NFL teams.  In addition to being a league that provides a quality product on the field and great entertainment, this is a league of opportunity and we embrace that role we play in professional football.”

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In his first year as head coach of the Florida Tuskers, JAY GRUDEN led his team to a 5-3 regular season record and a berth at the 2010 UFL Championship Game, where the Tuskers lost to the Las Vegas Locos.  In 2009, as Offensive Coordinator of the Tuskers, Gruden’s league-leading offense helped the 6-0 Florida team reach the inaugural UFL Championship Game where they also lost to the Locos.

“I would like to thank Michael Huyghue for the opportunity he gave me with the United Football League, said Gruden.  “I would not be a coordinator in the National Football League without my experience as a head coach and offensive coordinator in the UFL, and without the support of the players, coaching staff and Jim Haslett.”

2009 United Football League coaches who moved on to the NFL

2010 United Football League coaches who moved on to the NFL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-From UFL media

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

JAY GRUDEN TO COACH THE VIRGINIA DESTROYERS

OF THE UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Former Florida Tuskers head coach is reunited with Doug Williams in

Virginia as the United Football League ceases operations in Orlando

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JACKSONVILLE, FL – Wednesday, January 12, 2011 – JAY GRUDEN has been named Head Coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.

Gruden’s move comes as a result of the UFL ceasing operations in Orlando and the coaching vacancy that was created when JOE MOGLIA was named head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks. Gruden plans to retain the Tusker’s protected players and bring them to Virginia, which became the league’s newest expansion market in 2010.

“We will bring quality entertainment and the basis of a solid roster that has reached the last two Championship Games to excite the fans in Virginia,” said Coach Gruden. “I expect to bring back a lot of the guys who have helped make the team a success and believe we will be competitive again.

“I am excited about going up to Virginia to lead the Destroyers, though there is a bittersweet element as well. We have enjoyed success on the field with the Tuskers and I would like to thank the fans in Florida for their support.”

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From the UFL Media Dept.

UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE FOUNDER BILL HAMBRECHT EXCITED FOR THE 2011 SEASON AND BEYOND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JACKSONVILLE, FL – Wednesday, December 1, 2010 – United Football League founder and owner of the Las Vegas Locos BILL HAMBRECHT has spoken candidly about the positive future he envisions for the UFL heading into the 2011 season and for the years ahead.

The UFL wrapped up its second season as Hambrecht’s Locos won a second successive championship with a 23-20 victory over the Florida Tuskers in Omaha, NE, on November 27.

“The dust has barely settled on the 2010 season, but we are already firmly focused on 2011 and the opportunities that lie ahead,” explained Hambrecht.  “The league is currently completing its long-term planning process and I believe that the successes of the past two years and the initiatives we are putting in place are evidence that the United Football League is moving towards a steady future.

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