Feb. 21, 2008

from press releases and staff reports

The Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League announced Thursday that Bob Hamley has been named the team's new general manager and head coach.

Hamley, who will be relocating to Edmonton, replaces Paul Day, who was fired on Tuesday after amassing a 6-36 record over two-plus seasons with the Rush.

"We are excited about Bob's plans for the Rush and we are confident that he is the right person -- the right new voice -- to be leading the club to greater success," said Rush President Duane Vienneau.

Former Rush players Jamey Bowen and Chris Stachniak will join Hamley as assistant coaches.

"Bob is a proven winner; he has a great track record and great credentials," added Vienneau. "The entire organization is looking forward to working with Bob and hopefully we can soon start seeing this team live up to the high expectations that everyone, especially our fans, has for the players and coaching staff."

Hamley has a 46-42 career record as an NLL head coach, guiding Arizona to the Champion's Cup Final in 2005 and 2007. The Sting suspended operations in last fall due to the NLL's labor impasse.

Hamley was the winner of the Les Bartley Award for Coach of the Year, and General Manager of the Year in 2005. This season, he was serving as an assistant coach with the Colorado Mammoth, who currently lead the West with a 5-1 record, before being hired by the Rush.

Hamley played four seasons in the NLL for the Buffalo Bandits, notching 105 points in 31 regular season games.

The Rush host the San Jose Stealth on Saturday at 9:30 PM Eastern.