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2012 Port Huron Patriots season
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The 2012 Port Huron Patriots season is the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. After the disappointing end to the Port Huron Predators season in 2011, Dave and Cyndi Kinsman wanted to bring back a team to Port Huron in 2012 and the future. Kinsman stated, "We are aware of the history of teams in this city and the bottom line is that you have to win on and off the field to make this succeed. Other teams could win on the field, but couldn't win off the field meaning they didn't have the front office and leadership it takes to succeed. We are confident in the direction this franchise will head and we are thrilled to be in Port Huron." The team announced that they would be playing at McMorran Arena. In early September 2011, the Patriots signed former Pradators head coach John Forti, as well as re-signed local players who had played for the Predators.[1] On December 24, 2011 the team announced its training camp roster.[2]
2012 Port Huron Patriots season | |
---|---|
Owner | David & Cynthia Kinsman |
General manager | David Kinsman |
Head coach | John Forti (fired March 30; 1–2 record) David Kinsman (interim; 3–4 record) |
Home field | McMorran Arena |
Results | |
Record | 4–6 |
Division place | 4th |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Uniform | |
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On February 11, 2012, the team played its first ever preseason game. They defeated the outdoor semi-professional Southern Michigan Timberwolves 35-21. This first unofficial win came in the wake of the tragic loss of Offensive Lineman Ken Hamilton, who was killed in a shooting outside of a Detroit nightclub. Teammate Antonio Martin was also injured in the shooting.[3][4]
On March 29, 2012, Kinsman fired the entire coaching staff consisting of Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator John Forti, Defensive Coordinator Ron Gadowski, Special Teams and Line Coach Ryan Nolin and Defensive Backs Coach Jude Carter. Kinsman named himself the head coach of the Patriots and hired the coaching staff from the Michigan Gators, a semi-professional team that the Patriots had played in the preseason.[5]
Kinsman's decision to make himself the head coach did not sit well with some of the players, as a group, led by Terry Mitchell, left the team due to Kinsman's lack of football coaching experience.[6]
Kinsman went on to lead the Patriots to a 3-4 record, making them 4-6 overall, clinching the 4th seed in the CIFL playoffs, but despite this factor, the league decided to shorten the playoffs. This left the Patriots and the Evansville Rage both out of the playoffs.[7]