Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz | |||||
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Established 2004 Folded 2010 Played in Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
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League/conference affiliations | |||||
af2 (2004–2009)
Arena Football League (2010–2010)
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Team colors |
Black, Brick, Silver, White |
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Personnel | |||||
Owner(s) | Phil Miller | ||||
Head coach | Sparky McEwen | ||||
Team history | |||||
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Championships | |||||
League championships (0) 0 |
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Conference championships (0) 0 |
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Division championships (0) 0 |
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Playoff appearances (af2: 5, AFL: 0) | |||||
af2: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 | |||||
Home arena(s) | |||||
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af2 (2004–2009)
Arena Football League (2010–2010)
Black, Brick, Silver, White
The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz was an arena football team. The team began play as a 2004 expansion team of the Arena Football League's now-defunct minor league af2. Formerly a tenant of the Ford Center from 2004 until 2008, the Yard Dawgz were forced out when the National Basketball Association's Oklahoma City Thunder moved into town; starting in 2009, the Yard Dawgz played across the street at the Cox Convention Center. On October 25, 2010 Yard Dawgz owner Phil Miller announced that he decided not to play in the Arena Football League for the 2011 season.
The Yard Dawgz had a successful first year on and off the field by leading the league in attendance and finishing the regular season with 10-6 record to finish second in the Southwest Division of the National Conference.
In 2005, The Yard Dawgz had another successful year, despite changing divisions, by coming in third in attendance and finishing the regular season with 10-6 record to finish second in the Midwest Division of the National Conference. The Dawgz lost in the first round to the Amarillo Dusters.
The Yard Dawgz had their best showing in 2006 with a record of 11-5 and their third playoff appearance. Kicker A.J. Haglund won the af2 Kicker of the Year award and Quarterback Craig Strickland became the only player in af2 history to reach 20,000 career passing yards.
In 2007, under head coach John Fitzgerald, the Yard Dawgz had the second leading offense in the league – averaging 310.9 yd/game. Despite finishing 7-9, the team made its fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Three members of the 2007 Yard Dawgz earned All-af2 First Team honors – WR/DB Al Hunt, Center Gene Frederic, and OL/DL Barry Giles.