Has coach Ongaro been Ambushed?

Written by Gerry Prince

Sunday, 26 March 2000

Where there's smoke, there's usually fire. And rumblings that Drillers head coach Ross Ongaro is headed to St. Louis are getting louder.  Ongaro, a two-time winner of the NPSL coach of the year award, was apparently in the running for the Ambush coaching job when midfielder Joe Reiniger relinquished his role as player/coach earlier this season.  The job eventually went to Jorge Espinoza, who has since resigned, so the search for a bench boss in St. Louis continues.  Ambush owner Dr. Abraham Hawatmeh was unavailable for comment yesterday and interim head coach Jamie Swanner refused to shed any light on the situation.  "I'm not really in any position to discuss that," said Swanner, who is also director of soccer operations for the Ambush.  Ongaro signed a contract extension last fall and, under the terms of the deal, could be tied to the Drillers through the end of the 2001-02 NPSL season.  But Ongaro, who has a full-time teaching position with Edmonton Catholic Schools, didn't exactly shoot down the rumours following the Drill's loss to the Ambush yesterday.  "There are a lot of people that want my services," Ongaro said.  "I've got a three-year contract, I love Edmonton and I'd love to stay here."

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 October 2006 )