Georgia’s Doug Plank Doubles as Falcons Assistant Coach during the NFL Season

By Nathan Boudreaux -- Doug Plank has never been afraid of work.

He’s been a professional football player, a business owner, a radio and television broadcaster, and a football coach. As head coach of the Arena Football League’s Georgia Force, Plank has guided his club to a 24-8 regular season record the last two seasons and has twice (in his four years with the club) been named AFL Coach of the Year.

Those are impressive credentials, but Plank wants more. He wants an ArenaBowl championship. But, in the meantime he’s doing his best to help the NFL Atlanta Falcons get to the playoffs and possibly win their first-ever Super Bowl.

In July, Plank was named seasonal coaching assistant by new Atlanta head coach Mike Smith, meaning this Arena Football League off-season has been a little busier for the 55-year old.

“It seems like my season never ended,” Plank joked in a recent phone interview after a Falcons practice. “It’s been a rapid turnaround. I think I took two or three days off and I was back working with the Falcons in training camp. But, if you’re doing something you enjoy then it really doesn’t seem like work.”

With the title of seasonal coaching assistant, Plank is essentially a 'utility' coach.

“I’ve done everything from running drills with players to doing some advance scouting on other teams,” Plank said. “Right now, I’ve been working primarily with the defense in general, as well as with the special teams. I spent quite a bit of time each week with our special teams coach (Keith Armstrong) just reviewing special teams personnel and scheme, and I also help on the defense to some degree. Not necessarily calling plays or anything like that but more just teaching technique.”

It may be subtle, but Plank seems to be making an impact in Atlanta. The Falcons are 6-4 (as of press time) so far in ’08 after winning just four games all of last year.

“I really have enjoyed my experience this fall (with the Falcons),” he said. “It’s given me an opportunity to coach in a league that I played in for eight years.

“I think every one of us is challenged by opportunities and one thing that I’ve always tried to do is to push myself and drive for more performance, and that’s what’s made this opportunity with the Falcons more satisfying. The fact that Mike Smith thought enough about me to allow me to talk to his players and help participate in the coaching of the Falcons means a lot to me. I obviously respect him for that.”

Plank knows the game of football, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Ohio State graduate played for legendary head coach Woody Hayes and went on to start eight seasons as a defensive back with the Chicago Bears, where the team’s historic “46 Defense” was named after his jersey number and aggressive style of play.

Under Plank’s leadership as head coach, Georgia has made four consecutive playoff appearances and has won three Southern Division Championships.  In ’07 the club posted a franchise-best 14-2 mark and in his first four seasons with the Force he has 43 victories, which is the most by any head coach in their first four years on the job in AFL history.

“I try to make it as fun as possible for our players,” Plank said. “I believe in effort but I won’t ask anybody to do something that I haven’t already done myself. The players understand that we’re looking out for their best interest. And you have to be truthful. I know there are a lot of different things that come up during a season but a general manager and a head coach should really aim for accuracy in his words because if you lose the respect of your players than you really don’t have much of anything.”

In Georgia, Plank has certainly made a name for himself in his first-ever head coaching position. He brings in character guys and his clubs win with class. But, even after four playoff appearances, including an ArenaBowl berth in ’05, there is still more work to be done.

“I feel responsible that we didn’t get to the ArenaBowl the last few years,” Plank said. “I really thought we had a chance but we get into a playoff game and turnovers have sunk us the last couple years. All you can do is to keep trying. It’s going to be a very competitive league this year but hopefully we can get a few breaks.” 

Nathan Boudreaux has been working for arenafootball.com since 2002. He has been associated with the AFL since 1999 and has worked as media relations director for both the AFL's Florida Bobcats (1999) and Carolina Cobras (2000-02). He also spent four years (2002-05) in the media relations department of the NFL's Cleveland Browns before moving to his current post as manager of marketing and business development for USA Football (usafootball.com) -- the national governing body for America’s favorite sport leading the development of youth, high school, and international amateur football.