Jerry Senter was presented as the Tornados' new head coach at the team's February 29th "Meet The Organization" event held at ISSA in the banquet room.
Shortly after the meeting Vortex News caught up with Coach Senter to discuss his new role, his life, and the upcoming season.
| VN: | Congrats Coach Senter on becoming the new head coach of the Indianapolis Tornados. |
| Coach: | Thank you. I was truly honored to be offered the coaching position. |
| VN: | Why did you take this position? |
| Coach: | I accepted because I believe in the system, the philosophy of the organization, the leadership of the owners and staff, the direction of the team, and because I love the game of football. |
| VN: | Based on what you know about the Tornados' history do you believe the team can achieve immediate success? |
| Coach: | I see that the team had been a force in the NAFL between 2002 - 2004 and came close to winning it all in 2004. Yes, I truly believe that immediate success is reachable and that's the TEAM goal and I will do all I can to help make this happen. |
| VN: | Why? |
| Coach: | We will have the talent, we have the organization, and we have the will, determination, and pride to be champions. |
| VN: | The Tornados are scheduled to face the Kane County Eagles of Aurora, IL and the North East Missouri Wildcats in 2008. What do you know about those teams? |
| Coach: | The information I have gathered from the owners and staff indicate that those teams pose a tremendous challenge to our team. However all the teams on our schedule are good football teams so we will not look past anyone. They are all out to keep us from obtaining our goal, which is becoming National Champions. |
| VN: | Are you a defensive guy, offensive guy, or both? |
| Coach: | I would prefer to think of myself as both, I like being involved on both sides of the ball. |
| VN: | What do you expect out of those who want to play for the team leading up to the season. Another way of asking this is if you were wanting to be a Tornado player what would be your mindset? |
| Coach: | The success of the TEAM is everything. I will expect all the players and staff to really understand the depth of the concept of what a TEAM is. Each player brings to the team his talents and abilities and each player must use those skills for the benefit and good of the team. |
| VN: | What are you most proud of? |
| Coach: | I'm most proud of having a family, who supports me in all the things I try to accomplish. Their love, strength, and moral commitment inspires me to give everything I have to accomplish the tasks that life has set before me. |
| VN: | Who are some of your heroes? |
| Coach: | My Father, who started me off in football at a very early age. He fostered in me the love of the game. Next, I would have to say my Mother, who came to every game that she could, in both High School and College, even though she could not master the X's and O's of the game. Next, I would say my High School and College coaches. And then all the men and women in the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line every day so that we may continue to have the freedom to enjoy this sport we love. |
| VN: | If you had a chance to sit and have dinner with one person who would that be? |
| Coach: | Well that's a very hard question to answer simply because of the many people that have a special place in my life and who have influenced me. I think maybe right now I would not mind sharing a meal with Coach (Tony) Dungy (of the Indianapolis Colts). He is a very special coach and an outstanding individual. |
| VN: | Did you enjoy this last Superbowl? If so why? |
| Coach: | Very much so. Football presents so many opportunities for success. New York took advantage of some mental mistakes and maybe a misplaced feeling of confidence by New England in not recognizing the excellence of the Giants' defensive line play. You should never underestimate your opponent in any facade of the game. New England did and it cost them the Super Bowl. |
| VN: | What are the greatest lessons that life has taught you? |
| Coach: | To never say never, never give up, and always see things through to the end. |
| VN: | Thanks Coach for your time and we wish you the best success on the upcoming season. |
| Coach: | Thank you. |
