[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen present new offensive coordinator
As the staff hiring period ended today, the Maassluis Merchantmen are happy to present Antonio Francis as the new offensive coordinator for the coming 5 seasons. Francis worked for the Rochester Lake Monsters and had a key role in the rookie of the year campaign of running back Joe Boulware. Francis is known as a great guy working with offensive linemen, resulting in guard Gene Simmons' two time All IHOF selection and the fast progress of guard Scottie Yuan.

Francis was out of work after the Lake Monsters decided to hire Anaheim's C.J. Corley to work around with promising quarterback Jackie Williamson. In Maassluis, Francis' job will be to develop the young and promising linemen into a true chemistry with the great offensive tackle duo Wilson Grimaldo and Harold Hurtado. With Francis, young left tackle Edgard Dunkin will come over to Maassluis. Spencer Opitz, last year's offensive coordinator, was hired in the same role with the Frederick Red Menace.

With the addition of Francis and earlier acquired lead scout Gabe Avila, the Merchantmen claim to have a great team to make the Merchantmen improve from a 7-9 team to a playoff contender. With head coach Leroy Van der Woude, a play calling expert, and all round very well educated defensive coordinator Kim Johannsen staying at their roles, general manager M.IJ.B. is very happy: "It's good to have a talented crop of players, but to get the best out of them, you need the right supporting group. Avila will be important to see which players will and which won't make it. Francis should be important in the process of developing our offensive players, while Johannsen and Van der Woude did a great job already."

The addition of Francis should be very interesting with the pressence of second year center Brant Heinrich, the pressence of second year guard Butch White and the addition of right guard Timothy Lacy. Francis' reputation is also good enough to assume that he will get a lot of progress out of quarterbacks Leonard Lyon and incoming Moe Baxter.