Haege benched for his tirade

Adam Candee

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 | 9:26 a.m.

Frank Haege's tantrum triathlon of headset toss, shirt slam and 25-yard sprint was a Thomas & Mack Center favorite, but Arena Football League commissioner David Baker apparently did not see much entertainment value.

Baker issued stern justice Monday, suspending the Gladiators' head coach for two games without pay and fining him $10,000 for his on-field tirade during the Gladiators' home victory March 14 against Arizona. Haege will also be placed on probation for the rest of the season.

The suspension is scheduled to begin April 5, the day after the Gladiators play host to Chicago. During the suspension, Haege is not allowed to attend any games or practices, nor is he allowed to help the team prepare in any way.

Haege flung his headset into the stands, ripped off his polo shirt and threw it down, and ran off the field to wild cheers after being ejected for arguing a call during the fourth quarter of Las Vegas' 65-64 overtime win against the Rattlers.

In a letter to Haege, Baker wrote, "Your actions on Sunday were not only in violation of specific rules governing coach, player and team behavior. They also constituted 'conduct detrimental to the interests of the AFL.' "

Baker gave Haege a means to reduce his penalties, however. If Haege travels to the league office in New York for a meeting with Baker and his senior staff, the suspension may be cut to one game and the fine reduced by a significant amount.

Gladiators spokesman Adam Grant said that Haege will make the trip to New York, but not until he has completed his coaching responsibilities for the next two weeks. If the suspension is reduced, Haege will only miss the April 10 game at Arizona. He could be absent for as many as three weeks if the suspension stands because Las Vegas has a bye after the visit to Arizona and does not play until April 25 against Detroit.

Haege admitted after that game that he "lost his cool" and "snapped" in protesting what he felt was an illegal substitution by Arizona. He issued a contrite statement Monday in response to the harsh penalties.

"I apologize to the fans of the AFL, the Commissioner's office and to my team," Haege said. "I am truly embarrassed by my actions during the game against Arizona. It was inappropriate and unprofessional."

"The Commissioner's office has given me an opportunity to reduce the penalties levied against me and I will comply with all their requests. This was a one-time incident and it will not happen again."

Haege will make $110,000 in base salary this year, the first in a three-year contract extension signed after the 2003 season. He will be responsible for paying the fine levied by the league from his own money.