Jay Gruden, Florida Tuskers Become Virginia Destroyers

Goodbye, Disneyworld.

The Florida Tuskers are being scratched as one of the United Football Leagues teams in 2011. In return, Tuskers coach Jay Gruden, his protected players and coaching staff will move to Virginia as the Virginia Destroyers, becoming the third-year league's new expansion team.

According to UFL source, Salt Lake City, Portland and San Antonio are also being looked at as possible destinations for one more expansion team in 2011.

Despite the Tuskers losing in two UFL finals in the league's first two seasons, the club had the lowest attendance in the old Citrus Bowl.

Joe Moglia Becomes Omaha Nighthawks' Coach

League commissioner Michael Huyhue said it was time for a change.

"Orlando was a great market, but the big driver was the size of the venues available to us," Huyghue said. "We need appropriately sized stadium venues as much as we need non-NFL markets in order to be successful. Virginia offers us the ideal scenario, while such an option does not exist in Orlando.

The Destroyers will play at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in 2011.

Gruden's move comes as a result of the UFL ceasing operations in Orlando and the coaching vacancy that was created when Joe Moglia was named head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks.

"We will bring quality entertainment and the basis of a solid roster that has reached the last two Championship Games to excite the fans in Virginia," Gruden said. "I expect to bring back a lot of the guys who have helped make the team a success and believe we will be competitive again.

"I am excited about going up to Virginia to lead the Destroyers, though there is a bittersweet element as well. We have enjoyed success on the field with the Tuskers and I would like to thank the fans in Florida for their support."

Doug Williams will still retain his job as the Destroyers general manager. Williams and Gruden were both assistant coaches with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I am looking forward to working with Doug again and feel that we will start from a very strong position of having an established team and a great platform from which to launch the Destroyers. Doug and I already have a good relationship and will work well together."