New York/New Jersey Hitmen

The New York/New Jersey Hitmen were an American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Hitmen were the members of the Eastern Division of the XFL. The team played their home games in Giants Stadium of the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

For the New York franchise from the current incarnation of the XFL, see New York Guardians.
New York/New Jersey Hitmen
Founded1999
Folded2001 (2001)
Based inEast Rutherford, New Jersey
Home stadiumGiants Stadium
Head coachRusty Tillman
General managerDrew Pearson
Owner(s)World Wrestling Federation
LeagueXFL
DivisionEastern
ColorsRoyal blue, silver, black[1]
              

History

The team's general manager was former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, and New Jersey native, Drew Pearson.

The Hitmen were part of the Eastern Division with the Birmingham Thunderbolts, Orlando Rage and Chicago Enforcers. They finished in 3rd place with a 4-6 record. The head coach was former NFL assistant Rusty Tillman, who was not a fan of the league's gimmicks or personalities - specifically commentator Jesse Ventura, who called him "Gutless Rusty" on a regular basis, as he felt that Tillman's coaching style was too timid. Tillman, ever the professional, brushed off the jabs by Ventura and refused to respond. In the end, Ventura's attempts to goad him failed.

The Hitmen were one of the teams to play in the XFL's inaugural game. Tens of millions of viewers watched the Hitmen, who displayed a stunning lack of competence against the Las Vegas Outlaws in the contest (including a particularly ugly missed field goal and numerous miscues from starting quarterback and New York native Charles Puleri), lose 19–0. The Hitmen's poor performance in that game was a major factor in fan backlash against the league in the weeks that followed and a prime example of the league's failure to live up to expectations; the team benched Puleri in favor of Wally Richardson by Week 3 in hopes of salvaging the season.

The Hitmen's average attendance of roughly 28,000 fans per game was second-highest in the league, behind only the San Francisco Demons.

Revival
Main article: New York Guardians

In December 2018, a revival of the XFL announced its intent to return to East Rutherford. The new team was named the New York Guardians.

Season-by-season
Season records
SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
20014603rd Eastern--
  • Saturday February 3, 2001 L New York/New Jersey Hitmen 0 at Las Vegas Outlaws 19
  • Sunday February 11, 2001 L Birmingham Thunderbolts 19 at New York/New Jersey Hitmen 12
  • Sunday February 18, 2001 L Orlando Rage 18 at New York/New Jersey Hitmen 12
  • Saturday February 24, 2001 W New York/New Jersey Hitmen 13 at Chicago Enforcers 0
  • Saturday March 3, 2001 L Los Angeles Xtreme 22 at New York/New Jersey Hitmen 7
  • Sunday March 11, 2001 W New York/New Jersey Hitmen 20 at San Francisco Demons 12
  • Saturday March 17, 2001 W Memphis Maniax 15 at New York/New Jersey Hitmen 16
  • Sunday March 25, 2001 L New York/New Jersey Hitmen 12 at Orlando Rage 17
  • Saturday March 31, 2001 L Chicago Enforcers 23 at New York/New Jersey Hitmen 18
  • Sunday April 8, 2001 W New York/New Jersey Hitmen 22 at Birmingham Thunderbolts 0

Standings
Eastern Division
Team W L T PCT PF PA STK
Orlando Rage 8 2 0 .800 207 162 L1
Chicago Enforcers 5 5 0 .500 163 178 W1
New York/New Jersey Hitmen 4 6 0 .400 110 145 W1
Birmingham Thunderbolts 2 8 0 .200 131 217 L7

[2]

Roster
2001 New York/New Jersey Hitmen final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen
  • 62 Ben Cavil G
  • 51 Eric Cole C
  • -- Harvey Goins
  • -- Robert Hunt C
  • 77 Curtis McGee T
  • 61 Juan Porter G
  • 64 Troy Stark G

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 37 active, 1 inactive, 7 practice squad

Team leaders

Rushing yards: 328, Joe Aska.

Receiving yards: 404, Kirby Dar Dar.

Passing yards: 804, Wally Richardson.

Staff
2001 New York/New Jersey Hitmen staff
Front Office

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – Greg Briner
  • Running Backs – Joe Lombardi
  • Tight Ends/Offensive Line – Edwin Bailey
   Defensive Coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator - David Catapano
  • Defensive Line – Bill Urbanik
  • Linebackers – Tony Mottola
  • Secondary – Mike Dietzel

Special Teams

  • Special Teams Coordinator - Paul Butcher
  • Head Athletic Trainer - Keith Abrams

[3]

References
  1. "New York/New Jersey Hitmen Logo Sheet". SSUR.org. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  2. "XFL Standings". USA Today. May 12, 2001. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  3. 2001 New York/New Jersey Hitman Media Guide. XFL. pp. 3–11.
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