By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Salina Liberty announced a four year extension for head coach Heron O’Neal on Wednesday, securing the 2019 CIF coach of the year and IFL Hall of Famer through 2025.
This move gives the Liberty much needed stability at the helm, something many teams in the league lack in such a fluid market.
“An extension of this length is almost unheard of in indoor football,” Liberty COO Francis Flax said. “I speak on behalf of the owners when I say that we’re really proud of that.”
In just three seasons, O’Neal has built quite the resume in Salina turning the Liberty into a true contender.
In the two seasons before his arrival the team had a dismal combined record of 3-21. Since Coach O took over, the team is 28-10 with a trip to the Champions Bowl and the number one overall seed for this year's playoffs.
With a resume like that, many other teams across the country made an attempt to court O’Neal, but ultimately the stability of the Liberty ownership kept him in Salina.
“Going elsewhere was an option but this ownership group has never turned their back on me,” O’Neal said. “We just went through a once in a lifetime disaster with the pandemic of 2020 and I didn’t miss a check, that tells me that when things get rough they’re committed to giving 100% to make all of this happen.”
Coach O’s top lieutenant Jorge Marinez also signed an extension, ensuring that the dynamic coaching duo can continue building their legacy in Salina.
The Liberty will be back in action on Saturday when they make the short trip to Wichita for a rematch with the Force.