New Oregon High Desert Storm GM/Head Coach Ryan Doty ‘excited to take on the challenge’

(Update: Adding video, comments from general manager, new head coach, offensive lineman)

Team dismisses Keith Evans, who led Storm to 7-4 record in first season, finishes second in conference

BEND, Ore.-- (KTVZ) -- One game into its second indoor football season, the Oregon High Desert Storm just announced that they are taking the team "in a different direction," dismissing Keith Evans and naming Ryan Doty as the new general manager and head coach.

Going into their second season at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Redmond, the Storm says this season will be different.

"We had a great foundation last season, and we're just hoping to build off of that foundation," Doty said Friday. "With me being a local guy, we should have a lot more community support. We're just trying to build off of last year and turn it into something great that we can have families do in their off-time."

Team officials said Doty joined the American West Football Conference team in October of 2020 and has 13 years of experience.

Doty has been a part of the Oregon football scene for the past 15 years. He was a player for the National Nineman Football League for several years before becoming co-owner of the NNFL from 2016 to 2018.

Moving on from the NNFL, Doty founded the semi-pro Central Oregon Outlaws and coached Mountain View and Ridgeview athletes in the off-season, the team said.

With all his experience, Doty said it will make for an easy, smooth transition into this new role.

"All I know is that the ownership decided to go a different direction, and the opportunity fell in my lap," Doty said. "So I'm here, and I'm excited to take on the challenge and am looking forward to the opportunity. We really want to build professional arena football in Central Oregon."

The Storm ended its inaugural season with a 7-4 record last August, when it lost 55-37 to the Idaho Horseman in a playoff contest.

Offensive lineman Jeremiah Fennel said the coaching change isn't altering his goals for the season.

"For me, it's still the same goal -- win a championship," Fennel said. "We were one game short last year. So I need to go ahead and get that ring, so I can retire."

In their season opener last Saturday, the Storm fell 51-13 to the Tri-City Rush, the defending AWFC champions. The Storm's home opener is set for Sunday vs. the Washington Elite.