Tuesday, June 14, 2005 | 9:10 a.m.
The "Seinfeld" of coaching mysteries is over and just like the TV show, it was a story about nothing.
Gladiators head coach Ron James will return for the second season of his three-year contract, general manager Dan Dolby announced Monday.
"He's the guy I actually think could take us to the next level," Dolby said.
In his first season replacing Frank Haege, James led the Gladiators to their third consecutive 8-8 record. The team missed the playoffs for the second year in a row and did not significantly improve on the penalty and turnover problems that in large part led to Haege's dismissal.
Somewhat ominous published quotes from owner Jim Ferraro in the final week of the regular season caused some speculation about James' future with the team, but no one in the organization ever said the coach's job was in jeopardy.
Already well into scouting and free-agent evaluation for next season, James said Monday that he tried not to get caught up in the rumors surrounding the end of the year.
"As a coach, you try to keep your emotions out of that," James said. "This is a business and a lot of things are business-driven."
The 2005 season was the first as a head coach for James. The Gladiators played middling ball for most of the season, gamely fighting past the month-long injury absence of quarterback Clint Dolezel to remain in the playoff race before fizzling in the final month.
With two weeks left in the regular season, the Gladiators would have won the Western Division had they won their final two games. They instead lost both and missed the postseason.
"When I look at a total assessment of our organization, we have a long way to go and I can't put it all on Ron," Dolby said.
Dolby said any speculation about whether James would carry on as head coach may have been premature.
"Possibly," Dolby said. "Jim (Ferraro) has put a lot of time and a lot of money into this organization. After a couple of 8-8 years here, his expectations are higher. I think it's fair, very fair, to think of it that way."
Ferraro and James spoke during last week's owners meetings in Las Vegas during the ArenaBowl festivities. James said the owner gave him a vote of confidence, something he also feels from the rest of the organization.
"I know that I have the confidence of the GM and the entire office staff," James said. "That's huge in a working relationship."
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