2012 Allen Wranglers season

Off-field moves

Rascal the Raccoon, an anthropomorphic raccoon wearing a Wranglers uniform, became the team's official mascot in early 2012. Rascal was designed and brought to life by Ted Ovletrea, the man who portrayed Rowdy, the official mascot of the Dallas Cowboys, from conception until 2009. Rascal replaced Hoss, a cowboy mascot designed to match the team logo.

In March 2012, Tommy Benizio joined the Wranglers' ownership group and assumed the role of team president. Benizio had served as the IFL's commissioner from the league's founding in 2008 until resigning to become a co-owner of the Allen franchise.

After back-to-back losses in April, head coach Pat Pimmell was released by the team on April 30. The team announced that offensive coordinator Dixie Wooten and defensive coordinator Quinn Cairo would split coaching responsibilities until a replacement could be found. They shared the title "co-interim head coach" through the end of the season.

Roster moves

National Football League (NFL) veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens joined the team at the start of the 2012 season. Owens had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2011 and received no offers from NFL teams for 2012. He swelled attendance at Wranglers games and brought the national spotlight onto the team. However, several opponents, including Everett Raptors coach Sean Ponder, questioned Owens' commitment to the IFL since he skipped many of his team's road games. Owens' Wranglers contract allowed him flexibility with away dates but he contracted with some road opponents for first-class airfare and accommodations to play in their arenas. With three games left in the season, citing his "lack of effort both on and off the field", failure to show up for a scheduled appearance at a children's hospital, and refusal to play in two upcoming road games, Owens was released by the Wranglers on May 29, 2012. Along with his release, Owens also relinquished his ownership stake in the team.

Bryan Randall, a celebrated college athlete with stints in the NFL and Canadian Football League, was the opening day quarterback for the Wranglers. In early March, The team traded him to the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in return for future considerations. Randall was named the IFL's Most Valuable Player in 2010. Randall's backup, former Kansas City Chiefs player Casey Printers, took over the starting quarterback role.

Schedule

Key:

Preseason

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Regular season

Playoffs

Standings

Roster

References

References

1. Carlisle, Candace. (November 1, 2010). "Cowboys disappointing? Check out Wranglers". [[Dallas Business Journal]].
2. Machota, Jon. (February 25, 2012). "Huge crowd sees ex-Cowboy Terrell Owens's 3 TD Allen Wranglers debut". [[The Dallas Morning News]].
3. ''Eagle'' staff. (February 25, 2012). "Wild drops opener to Terrell Owens’ Wranglers". [[The Wichita Eagle]].
4. Boyle, John. (February 29, 2012). "T.O. expected to be a no-show for Raptors' home debut". [[Everett Herald]].
5. Myhre, Rich. (March 2, 2012). "Everett Raptors dominated in home debut". [[Everett Herald]].
6. Herron, Gary. (March 7, 2012). "Wranglers will bring Owens here for game". [[Rio Rancho Observer]].
7. (March 7, 2012). "Steelhawks trade for 2010 IFL MVP quarterback". [[The Morning Call]].
8. Draper, Michelle. (March 13, 2012). "Mascot with a message". [[The Cross Timbers Gazette]].
9. Herron, Gary. (March 14, 2012). "Wranglers leave Star Center with win over Stars". [[Rio Rancho Observer]].
10. ''Pantagraph'' staff. (March 15, 2012). "IFL commissioner resigns, joins Allen ownership". [[Bloomington Pantagraph]].
11. Herron, Gary. (March 18, 2012). "Former Cowboys star Pearson visits Star Center". [[Rio Rancho Observer]].
12. Star, Sean. (March 18, 2012). "Colorado Ice stifle Terrell Owens, Allen Wranglers to grab second straight home win". [[Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald]].
13. Felkert, Paige. (March 25, 2012). "Allen beats winless Wild 61–48". [[The Wichita Eagle]].
14. Schnabel, Mark. (March 27, 2012). "Held up". [[The Newton Kansan]].
15. ''Independent'' staff. (March 31, 2012). "Wranglers run past Danger, 86–57". [[Grand Island Independent]].
16. Feikert, Paige. (April 29, 2012). "Wild edges Allen in back-and-forth game". [[The Wichita Eagle]].
17. (April 30, 2012). "Wranglers Move in a New Direction". Allen Wranglers.
18. (May 9, 2012). "Stars back home to face last-place team". [[Rio Rancho Observer]].
19. ''Eagle'' staff. (May 26, 2012). "Wild wins at Allen". [[The Wichita Eagle]].
20. Tomaso, Bruce. (May 29, 2012). "Yet another football team shows Terrell Owens the door". [[The Dallas Morning News]].
21. (May 29, 2012). "Terrell Owens again without team, released by indoor Allen Wranglers and loses ownership stake". [[Yahoo! Sports]].
22. MacMahon, Tim. (May 20, 2012). "IFL team releases Terrell Owens". [[ESPN]].
23. Douglas, Terry. (June 2, 2012). "Danger lose lead, then game". [[Grand Island Independent]].
24. Benner, Eric. (June 7, 2012). "Sour ending to Raptors' inaugural season". [[Everett Herald]].
25. O'Dell, Chris. (June 17, 2012). "Home field advantage: Wranglers open playoffs in Allen after defeat of Stars". [[Allen American-Star]].
26. ''Eagle'' staff. (June 26, 2012). "Wild pull off playoff win over Allen". [[The Wichita Eagle]].
27. Schnabel, Mark. (June 27, 2012). "Wild wins playoff game over Wranglers". [[The Newton Kansan]].
28. Welch, Matt. (June 27, 2012). "Picking and grinning: Late turnover topples Wranglers in playoff loss to Wichita". [[Allen American-Star]].