San Jose SaberCats
Encyclopedia
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League
. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League
was Darren Arbet
, who will be a part of the ownership group for their 2011 return. All naming rights, trademarks, logos and likeness of the San Jose SaberCats are now owned by the new reemergence of the Arena Football League (AFL); formerly the Arena Football 1 (AF1)., making their 2011 return possible.
. The team played at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California
, which is also home to the San Jose Sharks
franchise of the National Hockey League
. The SaberCats competed in the Western Division of the American Conference. The SaberCats are one of Arena's premier organizations, having never drawn below 10,000 fans at any of their home games. The SaberCats were ArenaBowl
champions in 2002
, 2004
, and 2007
, beating the Arizona Rattlers
for their first two titles and the Columbus Destroyers
for the third. The San Jose SaberCats did play in a fourth ArenaBowl, ArenaBowl XXII, but lost to the Philadelphia Soul
. ArenaBowl XXII would be the last game played in the Arena Football League.
On June 5, 2004, the SaberCats were fined $
20,000 for violations during their Quarterfinal Round playoff
game against the Tampa Bay Storm
. They were first fined $10,000 for distributing cow bell
s, without advance approval, to fans entering the building, which was cited as a violation by the AFL as an intentional competitive advantage generated by the creation of artificial noise
. Also, during the game itself, the SaberCats refused to apply microphones to certain players and coaches during the NBC broadcast
, which led to an additional $10,000 fine.
The cowbells went on to become a mainstay of many perennial Season Ticket holders, even though the SaberCats never again distributed cowbells to fans after the incident in 2004.
San Jose was 9-7 in 2005, earning the fourth seed in the American Conference playoffs. They lost to #1 seed Colorado Crush 56-48 in the first round, after failing to score on six goal line opportunities in the final minute of play.
The SaberCats went 10-6 in 2006 and won a division title in the process, along with the AC's #2 seed. They got a Bye Week from the Wild Card Round and then beat the Arizona Rattlers in the Divisional Round 62-48. Because the Colorado Crush
(the AC's #1 seed) lost in the Divisional Round to the Chicago Rush
, they hosted the American Conference Championship game; however, they lost the game 59-56.
In 2007, they got revenge against the Rush in the American Conference championship and advanced to ArenaBowl XXI
, where they beat the Columbus Destroyers
in front of a sellout crowd in New Orleans Arena
and claimed their third Arena Bowl title in six seasons.
When the formation of a new arena football league, Arena Football 1 (renamed the new Arena Football League), was announced in 2009, the SaberCats were not one of the initial 16 teams announced. Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
owner Dan Newman mentioned that the SaberCats were one of at least two former AFL franchises with which negotiations were in progress, the other being the Tampa Bay Storm
. However, when AF1 announced its schedule in January 2010, the SaberCats were not among the 15 teams listed. At the time, it was unclear whether they would join another league, or join the new AFL later.
They would be replaced by the smaller and lesser-known San Jose Wolves
of the AIFA as they contemplate their future. The Wolves do not play at HP Pavilion as the SaberCats have, rather at the Cow Palace
in Daly City.
On June 16, it was officially announced that the SaberCats would be returning in 2011 as a member of the Arena Football League. The ownership will once again consist of major executives from national electronics chain Fry's Electronics
(John Fry, William Randy Fry, David Fry, and Kathryn J. Kolder), and in addition will contain former SaberCats coach Darren Arbet
.
On September 15, 2010, the SaberCats made it official that Darren Arbet was to be renamed head coach.
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
was Darren Arbet
Darren Arbet
Darren Arbet is an Arena Football League head coach for the San Jose SaberCats. He has a career record of 109-45, including 3 titles, ArenaBowl XVI, ArenaBowl XVIII, and ArenaBowl XXI.-High school years:...
, who will be a part of the ownership group for their 2011 return. All naming rights, trademarks, logos and likeness of the San Jose SaberCats are now owned by the new reemergence of the Arena Football League (AFL); formerly the Arena Football 1 (AF1)., making their 2011 return possible.
Original AFL (1995–2008)
The SaberCats began play in 19951995 Arena Football League season
The 1995 Arena Football League season was the 9th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl IX. The AFL re-aligned its divisions for the 3rd straight year. It re-aligned to two divisions per conference...
. The team played at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, which is also home to the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
franchise of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. The SaberCats competed in the Western Division of the American Conference. The SaberCats are one of Arena's premier organizations, having never drawn below 10,000 fans at any of their home games. The SaberCats were ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
champions in 2002
2002 in sports
2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria-American football:...
, 2004
2004 in sports
2004 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* College football Bowl Championship Series :**January 1 – Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14...
, and 2007
2007 in sports
2007 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* February 4 – Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The win was the Colts' first Super Bowl Championship since their 1970-71 team, when...
, beating the Arizona Rattlers
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
for their first two titles and the Columbus Destroyers
Columbus Destroyers
The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of...
for the third. The San Jose SaberCats did play in a fourth ArenaBowl, ArenaBowl XXII, but lost to the Philadelphia Soul
Philadelphia Soul
The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
. ArenaBowl XXII would be the last game played in the Arena Football League.
On June 5, 2004, the SaberCats were fined $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
20,000 for violations during their Quarterfinal Round playoff
Playoff
The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...
game against the Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
. They were first fined $10,000 for distributing cow bell
Cow bell
A cowbell or cow bell is a bell worn by freely roaming livestock, so that they do not run away or wander off without being heard. While bells were used on various types of animals, they are typically referred to as "cowbells" due to their extensive use with cattle.A trychel is a large cow bell...
s, without advance approval, to fans entering the building, which was cited as a violation by the AFL as an intentional competitive advantage generated by the creation of artificial noise
Artificial noise
In the context of spectator sports, artificial noise is the use of artificial sound-making devices to show the audience's support.In organized sports' early years, noise, such as there was, came solely from the cheering of a team's supporters...
. Also, during the game itself, the SaberCats refused to apply microphones to certain players and coaches during the NBC broadcast
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
, which led to an additional $10,000 fine.
The cowbells went on to become a mainstay of many perennial Season Ticket holders, even though the SaberCats never again distributed cowbells to fans after the incident in 2004.
San Jose was 9-7 in 2005, earning the fourth seed in the American Conference playoffs. They lost to #1 seed Colorado Crush 56-48 in the first round, after failing to score on six goal line opportunities in the final minute of play.
The SaberCats went 10-6 in 2006 and won a division title in the process, along with the AC's #2 seed. They got a Bye Week from the Wild Card Round and then beat the Arizona Rattlers in the Divisional Round 62-48. Because the Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
(the AC's #1 seed) lost in the Divisional Round to the Chicago Rush
Chicago Rush
The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the...
, they hosted the American Conference Championship game; however, they lost the game 59-56.
In 2007, they got revenge against the Rush in the American Conference championship and advanced to ArenaBowl XXI
ArenaBowl XXI
ArenaBowl XXI was the 2007 championship game of the Arena Football League and was played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, July 29, 2007. It was the third-ever neutral site title game in league's history and the first held in the state of Louisiana...
, where they beat the Columbus Destroyers
Columbus Destroyers
The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of...
in front of a sellout crowd in New Orleans Arena
New Orleans Arena
New Orleans Arena is an indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located in the city's Central Business District, adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome....
and claimed their third Arena Bowl title in six seasons.
AFL collapse and revival (2009–2010)
On August 4, 2009, the Arena Football League announced that it was "suspending operations indefinitely" but likely to fold. The SaberCats announced shortly afterward that they intend to field a team for 2010, even if it means moving to a new indoor football league.When the formation of a new arena football league, Arena Football 1 (renamed the new Arena Football League), was announced in 2009, the SaberCats were not one of the initial 16 teams announced. Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
The Bossier Shreveport Battle Wings were an Arena Football League team based in Bossier City, Louisiana. They played at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City and represented both Bossier City and Shreveport...
owner Dan Newman mentioned that the SaberCats were one of at least two former AFL franchises with which negotiations were in progress, the other being the Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
. However, when AF1 announced its schedule in January 2010, the SaberCats were not among the 15 teams listed. At the time, it was unclear whether they would join another league, or join the new AFL later.
They would be replaced by the smaller and lesser-known San Jose Wolves
San Jose Wolves
The Stockton Wolves are a professional indoor football team that currently plays an independent schedule. The Wolves are based in Stockton, California. As the San Jose Wolves, the team played its home games at the Cow Palace, located in Daly City...
of the AIFA as they contemplate their future. The Wolves do not play at HP Pavilion as the SaberCats have, rather at the Cow Palace
Cow Palace
Cow Palace is an indoor arena, in Daly City, California, situated on the city's border with neighboring San Francisco, notable as a sporting arena.-History:...
in Daly City.
On June 16, it was officially announced that the SaberCats would be returning in 2011 as a member of the Arena Football League. The ownership will once again consist of major executives from national electronics chain Fry's Electronics
Fry's Electronics
Fry's Electronics is a big-box store and retailer of software, consumer electronics, computer hardware, with in store computer repair and custom computer building services and household appliances with a chain of superstores headquartered in Silicon Valley...
(John Fry, William Randy Fry, David Fry, and Kathryn J. Kolder), and in addition will contain former SaberCats coach Darren Arbet
Darren Arbet
Darren Arbet is an Arena Football League head coach for the San Jose SaberCats. He has a career record of 109-45, including 3 titles, ArenaBowl XVI, ArenaBowl XVIII, and ArenaBowl XXI.-High school years:...
.
On September 15, 2010, the SaberCats made it official that Darren Arbet was to be renamed head coach.
2011 Season
The SaberCats opened their 2011 season with a 76-48 victory over the Spokane Shock. They went on to win against the Kansas City Command 60-57. The SaberCats lost the next two games they plays, 54-41 against the Chicago Rush, and 76-69 against the Iowa Barnstormers. It looked like the 'Cats were going on a winning streak after they won the next three games (75-55 against the Utah Blaze, 42-33 against the Tulsa Talons, and 68-61 against the Philadelphia Soul), but after a bye week they went on a devastating seven game losing streak (65-43 against the Arizona Rattlers, 54-48 against the Pittsburgh Power, 76-68 against the Utah Blaze, 55-49 against the Georgia Force, 70-57 against the Dallas Vigilantes, 64-57 against the Arizona Rattlers, and 82-21 against the Cleveland Gladiators). This losing streak ended against the Jacksonville Sharks when they won 83-70. The SaberCats ended the season with a 7-11 record.Coaches
| Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
Tenure | Regular season record (W-L) |
Post season record (W-L) |
Most recent coaching staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Shell Todd Shell Todd Shell is a former National Football League linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and a former Arena Football League coach for the Arizona Rattlers and New York Dragons.-External links:***... |
1995 1995 Arena Football League season The 1995 Arena Football League season was the 9th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl IX. The AFL re-aligned its divisions for the 3rd straight year. It re-aligned to two divisions per conference... –1998 1998 Arena Football League season The 1998 Arena Football League season was the 12th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Orlando Predators, who defeated the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XII.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth... |
29-25 | 0-3 | ||
| Darren Arbet Darren Arbet Darren Arbet is an Arena Football League head coach for the San Jose SaberCats. He has a career record of 109-45, including 3 titles, ArenaBowl XVI, ArenaBowl XVIII, and ArenaBowl XXI.-High school years:... |
1999 1999 Arena Football League season The 1999 Arena Football League season was the 13th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Albany Firebirds, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl XIII.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth... –2008 2008 Arena Football League season The 2008 Arena Football League season was the 22nd season of the Arena Football League and final season before the 2009 cancellation. The regular season began play on February 29, 2008 and concluded on June 22... 2011 2011 Arena Football League season The 2011 Arena Football League season was the twenty-fourth season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 11, 2011 and ended on July 23, 2011... –present |
107-45 | 15-6 | OC Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... : Terry Malley DC Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... / ST Coordinator: Jeff Jarnigan OL Coach / Dir. Player Personnel: Dave Witthun DB Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... / Ass. ST Coach: Lou Patrone |
Three ArenaBowl ArenaBowl The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site... wins as head coach (XVI ArenaBowl XVI ArenaBowl XVI was played between the San Jose SaberCats and Arizona Rattlers in San Jose, California on August 18, 2002. A game with considerable expectations given the teams' intense rivalry and respective success that year, the SaberCats surprised everyone by posting the most dominant victory in... , XVIII ArenaBowl XVIII ArenaBowl XVIII saw the San Jose SaberCats and Arizona Rattlers competing for the 2004 Arena Football League championship. Until 2010, this game marked the last time the ArenaBowl was held at the home arena of the higher-seeded team, rather than a neutral site, and 17,391 fans packed the sold-out... , XXI ArenaBowl XXI ArenaBowl XXI was the 2007 championship game of the Arena Football League and was played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, July 29, 2007. It was the third-ever neutral site title game in league's history and the first held in the state of Louisiana... ) Also General Manager General manager General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:... . |
Notable players
- Rashied DavisRashied DavisRashied Khalid Davis is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at San José State...
WR/DB - Phil GloverPhil GloverPhil Dwyain Glover is an American football linebacker who played for the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League.-High school years:...
LB - Mark GriebMark GriebMark Grieb is an Arena football quarterback for the San Jose SaberCats . He was originally signed by the Anaheim Piranhas...
QB - John Dutton QB
- George WilliamsGeorge Williams (American football)George Williams was an American football coach in the United States. He is one of the few college-level coaches to have coached an entire season of eight or more games without a victory...
DL - Joe Jacobs OL/DL
- Matt KinsingerMatt KinsingerMatthew Mark Kinsinger is an Arena Football League fullback/linebacker for the Chicago Rush. He was previously with the Las Vegas Gladiators and San Jose SaberCats...
FB/LB - Bob McMillenBob McMillen (American football)Robert James "Bob" McMillen, Jr. is an American Arena Football League coach for the Chicago Rush. He is a retired Arena football player, formerly a Fullback/Linebacker for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.-Early years:McMillen attended Immaculate Conception High School where he...
FB/LB - Aaron MillsAaron MillsAaron Scott Mills is an American former Arena Football League kicker who, in a career lasting two years, played for the San Jose SaberCats...
K - William Obeng - OL/DL
- James RoeJames Edward RoeJames Edward Roe II is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and the Arena Football League. He played for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and the AFL's San Jose SaberCats where he also played linebacker.-High school career:James Roe attended Henrico High School in...
WR/LB - Omarr Smith DB
- Clevan ThomasClevan ThomasClevan Nathaniel Thomas is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football 1. He was signed by the San Jose SaberCats as a free agent in 2001. He played college football Florida State....
DB - Marquis FloydMarquis FloydMarquis Floyd is an American football cornerback who is a member of the Arizona Rattlers. He was signed by the Tennessee Valley Vipers as a street free agent in 2004...
DB - Barry WagnerBarry WagnerBarry Wagner is a retired American football player in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators with whom he won his first ArenaBowl Championship and the San Jose SaberCats, with whom he won two championships. He also played in the World Indoor Football League as a wide...
WR/DB/JLB - Jon LeeJon LeeJon Lee was the original drummer for the successful British rock band Feeder. He died by suicide in 2002.- Biography :Lee was born to Patricia and Norman Lee in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, where he also grew up...
DB/WR - Rodney Wright - WR
- Kevin ArbetKevin ArbetKevin Arbet is an American football cornerback most recently playing for the Arena Football League's San Jose SaberCats. His uncle, Darren Arbet is the head coach.-Professional career:...
WR/DB - Tom PetithomeTom PetithomeTom Petithomme is a former star for the AFL's San Jose SaberCats and currently hold the fourth highest rushing total in the Arena League's history. Tom currently coaches varsity football and teaches Physical Education at Terra Nova high school in Pacifica, CA....
- Trestin GeorgeTrestin GeorgeTrestin George is a professional American, Canadian and Arena football defensive back who is currently signed to the San Jose SaberCats. He recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League until he requested his release to be closer to his family. He was signed as an undrafted free...
DB