Bob McMillen has resigned as coach of the LA KISS after guiding the Arena Football League team to a 7-29 record over its first two seasons, the team announced.
“I appreciate the opportunity I was given by the owners as the first coach of the LA KISS and cannot thank the players and fans enough for believing in me,” McMillen said Friday.
“I feel the team really improved over the last year and was playing great football by the end of the year. Over the past two years I believe we have been building a strong foundation and that the core of this team will have future success.”
Said LA KISS CEO Joe Windham: “We are sad to see Bob leave the organization. He helped get the franchise off the ground and made big strides last season to get the team on a winning track. He is a good friend and will always be part of the LA KISS family.”
The search for McMillen’s successor has began, said Windham, who said he hopes to select the new coach in two weeks.
The KISS, whose owners include Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the rock band KISS, were 4-14 in 2015, the league’s second- worst record.
The Honda Center-based team lost its first nine games, extending its losing streak to 15 games over two seasons, equaling the third longest in the history of the league, which began play in 1987.
The season’s highlight was a 48-42 overtime victory over the San Jose SaberCats, June 13 at San Jose, the only loss suffered by the eventual league champion.
The KISS were 3-15 in their inaugural 2014 season, losing their final six games.
McMillen coached the AFL’s Chicago Rush from 2011-13 and was selected as the league’s coach of the year in 2013 for guiding the Rush to a 10-8 record and the Central Division championship despite the league taking control of the team after its owner bounced a check needed to secure the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois for two games.
McMillen played running back and linebacker in the AFL from 1995-2007 was elected to its Hall of Fame in 2013.