Mike Hohensee

Michael Louis Hohensee (born February 22, 1961 in Inglewood, California) is an American Arena Football League coach who is regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of the AFL. He was hired to guide the Soul's resumption of play after a two-year hiatus starting in 2011. He resigned on July 27, 2011. He was formerly the Head Coach of the Chicago Rush, a position he had held since the team's inception. The Rush had made the AFL playoffs every year of their existence and won ArenaBowl XX in 2006. Hohensee also coached the now defunct original Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League to three first-place finishes, and the Peoria Pirates in the af2 during the AFL's hiatus in 2009.

Playing career

College

In college, Hohensee played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. After coming out of junior college at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, Hohensee quarterbacked the Gophers for two seasons in 1981 and 1982, setting numerous school passing records.

After college

He played for the Washington Federals of the United States Football League from 1983–1984, the Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1985, and was a replacement player on the Chicago Bears of the National Football League during the 1987 NFL strike. Additionally, before beginning his career as an AFL coach, Hohenesee was a quarterback for the AFL's Pittsburgh Gladiators during the League's first two seasons in 1987 and 1988.

As the Washington Federals' quarterback in 1983, Hohensee is best remembered for coming up one foot short of the goal line in a loss to the Oakland Invaders. Additionally, Hohensee threw the first touchdown pass in AFL history.

Coaching career

Chicago Rush, AFL 2001-2008

Hohensee was named the first coach in Chicago Rush history, with the team beginning play in 2001. With Hohensee, the Rush made the playoffs in every season and winning ArenaBowl XX. The Rush played in four consecutive AFL Conference Championship games from 2004 to 2008, and won its division in 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2008. "Coach Ho" recorded his 100th career victory in 2006 when the team defeated the Las Vegas Gladiators at Allstate Arena.

Peoria Pirates, af2 2009

When the AFL stopped play in 2009, Hohensee remained in Arena Football in Illinois. He coached the Peoria Pirates, but the team finished 5-11.

Chicago Rush, AFL 2010

Hohensee returned to coach the Rush when the AFL returned for the 2010 season. He led the Rush to a 10-6 season, and the team made the playoffs. On August 20, 2010, Hohensee announced he was resigning from the Rush after nine season with the team. He finished with 108 regular season wins for the Rush and nine more in the playoffs.

Philadelphia Soul, AFL 2011

Hohensee was hired at the coach of the Philadelphia Soul on August 31, 2010. He will be the team's first head coach since the team went on hiatus together with the league as a whole following the 2008 season. The team's last game prior to Hohensee's hire was ArenaBowl XXII in which they defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56. After a 6–12 season, Hohensee resigned on July 27, 2011.

Iowa Barnstormers, AFL 2012

On August 16, 2011, Hohensee was named the head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers.

Head coaching record

Team	Year	Regular Season					Post Season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
WSH	1990	2	6	0	.250	6th in AFL	-	-	-	-
WSH Total		2	6	0	.250	-	-	-	-
ALB	1994	10	2	0	.833	1st in American Conference	1	1	.500	Lost to Arizona Rattlers in AFL Semifinals.
ALB	1995	7	5	0	.583	1st in AFL East	1	1	.500	Lost to Tampa Bay Storm in AFL Semifinals.
ALB	1996	10	4	0	.714	1st in AFL East	1	1	.500	Lost to Iowa Barnstormers in AFL Semifinals.
ALB Total		27	11	0	.750	-	3	3	.500
ANA	1997	2	12	0	.142	3rd in AFL West	-	-	-	-
ANA Total		2	12	0	.142	-	-	-	-
NE	1999	5	9	0	.142	3rd in AFL East	-	-	-	-
NE	2000	8	6	0	.571	2nd in AFL East	0	1	.000	Lost to Oklahoma Wranglers in First Round.
NE Total		13	15	0	.450	-	0	1	.000
CHI	2001	7	7	0	.500	3rd in AFL Central	1	1	.500	Lost to Grand Rapids Rampage in Second Round.
CHI	2002	9	5	0	.642	1st in AFL Central	1	1	.500	Lost to Arizona Rattlers in Semifinals.
CHI	2003	8	8	0	.500	3rd in AFL Central		1	.000	Lost to New York Dragons in Wildcard Round.
CHI	2004	11	5	0	.687	1st in AFL Central	1	1	.500	Lost to San Jose Sabercats in Semifinals.
CHI	2005	9	7	0	.500	2nd in AFL Central	1	1	.500	Lost to Colorado Crush in Semifinals.
CHI	2006	7	9	0	.500	3rd in AFL Central	4	0	1.000	Defeated Orlando Predators to win ArenaBowl XX.
CHI	2007	12	4	0	.750	1st in AFL Central	1	1	.500	Lost to San Jose Sabercats in Semifinals.
CHI	2008	11	5	0	.687	1st in AFL Central	0	1	.000	Lost to Grand Rapids Rampage in Divisional Round.
CHI	2010	10	6	0	.500	2nd in AFL Central	0	1	.000	Lost to Milwaukee Iron in first Round.
CHI Total		83	57	0	.630	-	9	8	.530
PHI	2011	6	12	0	.333	4th in AFL East	-	-	-	-
PHI Total		6	12	0	.333	-	-	-	-
Iowa	2012	0	0	0	.000	-	-	-	-	-
Iowa Total		0	0	0	.000	-	-	-	-
Total		134	112	0	.545		12	12	.500

Accomplishments

• ArenaBowl XX winning coach
• Reached AFL Semifinals - 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
• Division Winner—1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008

Car Accident

On Saturday April 28, 2007 Hohensee was hit by a car while walking in a grocery store parking lot, but still coached the Rush to a victory over the Philadelphia Soul two days later. He coached the game in the team press box with a sling around his arm.

External links

• Mike Hohensee (coach) at ArenaFan.com
• Mike Hohensee (player) at ArenaFan.com