Arena League coach killed in car crash
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. - The coach of an Arena Football League team died in a car crash.
Police said Friday that Fran Papasedero, coach of the Orlando Predators, was killed when he lost control of his car and was ejected from it when it overturned several times.
Lt. Charles Robinson said Papasedero, 34, was driving alone on a city street about 10:15 p.m. Thursday when the accident occurred. He said it was not immediately known if excess speed, alcohol or drugs were involved. He also did not know if Papasedero was wearing a seat belt or whether the road was wet.
Papasedero replaced Jay Gruden, the brother of
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, as coach in 2001 when Gruden returned to play quarterback for the Predators. Papasedero was an assistant with Orlando for four seasons.
Under Papasedero, the Predators went 12-4 this season, and won a playoff game before losing in the league semifinals.
Papasedero began his AFL career as a lineman for the Albany Firebirds in 1993. He played five seasons, making stops in Massachusetts, St. Louis and Nashville.
He had 105 tackles with 10.5 sacks. Offensively, he caught nine passes for 56 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
After retiring as a player with Nashville in 1997, Papasedero began his coaching career in Orlando as Gruden's line coach.
When Gruden announced his intentions to return to the field, the Predators took just two days to promote Papasedero.
Papasedero was a star defensive tackle for Springfield (Mass.) College.
He was the father of a 2-year-old daughter, Vivian.
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