Shock Add Mulder to Coaching Staff

Courtesy Spokane Shock

SPOKANE, WA (March 20, 2013) – The Spokane Shock are proud to announce the hiring of past player and new defensive backs coach William Mulder. Mulder will step in to replace former Shock defensive backs coach Stanley Franks who has accepted a position with the coaching staff of the NCAA FCS Idaho State Bengals.

Mulder joins the Shock for the 2013 season for his AFL coaching debut. When asked about the hiring, head coach Andy Olson expressed gratitude and high expectations for the former AFL veteran, saying, "We are very fortunate to find such a knowledgeable guy like Mulder on short notice. He has had so much success on the field over the years and we expect to see an immediate impact as a coach."

Mulder's past accomplishments on the field are sure to be an inspiration to the players he will now be coaching. After graduating from Campbellsville in 2004, Mulder spent five seasons as a member of the Lexington Horsemen of the United Indoor Football League and af2 (UIFL from 2005-2007). Mulder, a native of Versailles, KY, set nearly every record for punt returns and INTs as a defensive back at Campbellsville University from 2001-2003.

In 2009 Mulder earned second-team all af2 honors after recording 11 interceptions, 24 pass break-ups, and 65.5 tackles. He added 1,770 yards on special teams. During his af2 rookie season in 2008, Mulder led the Horsemen with 57.5 tackles, three INTs, and 19 pass break-ups. He also added 1,895 all-purpose yards as a kick returner.

In 2011, Mulder played for the Utah Blaze where he recorded two INTs and 25 tackles in four games. Mulder began his AFL career when he joined the Shock in 2010 where he recorded 82 tackles, 19 pass break-ups, three INTs, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble on the season; as a part of the 2010 ArenaBowl XXIII championship team.

Shock general manager Ryan Rigmaiden is very confident about the signing, counting on Mulder's game savvy and experience as a player to make a significant and immediate impact, saying "Will was always a smart player and it was an easy decision for us to think he'd be a good fit on our staff. His knowledge of the game and extensive Arena experience gives us the ability to replace Coach Stanley Franks with another capable young coach."

With the full support of the front office and players, Coach Mulder is sure to achieve great success. His first test as a coach will come on the Shock's season opener, March, 24, as the Shock take on the Cleveland Gladiators at Cleveland. Mulder will return to Spokane for the Shock for the first time since his player days on April, 12, as the Shock face up against the Arizona Rattlers in the home opener.