The Colorado Mammoth today named Jamie Batley as its permanent head coach, ending speculation that former Philadelphia Wings coach Tony Resch would be given the job.

Batley was promoted from assistant coach to interim head coach late last month when Rod Jensen was fired. Colorado, now 5-5, has won its only game under Batley, an 18-12 home victory over the Vancouver Ravens on 1 March.

However, as the Outsider's Guide was first to report last week, the Mammoth was hot for Resch's services, and has appointed him to the position of associate head coach.

Resch was last seen in NLL circles at the 2001 NLL Champion's Cup final, where he skippered the Wings to a 9-8 victory over the Toronto Rock.

In case you're wondering, Ward Sanderson will continue as an assistant coach.

"This was a unique opportunity to go in a new direction with our coaching staff," Mammoth president and general manager Steve Govett said. "Jamie Batley is extremely capable and will be a great head coach. He has the respect and admiration of the players and that was the determining factor for me in naming him to the position."

"In addition, when I was presented with the opportunity to bring Tony Resch on as the associate head coach, I felt I had the best of both worlds," Govett added.

"Tony’s experience and leadership qualities are unmatched in this league. I have extensive experience with Tony and I know that he and Jamie together will motivate this team and take it to the next level."

Batley has coached the Peterborough Lakers the past three summers (two years at Junior A level, and one at Major), and before that played for the Lakers' Junior A team in the mid-1980s, winning a pair of Minto Cups.

Batley played four seasons in the MILL/NLL, including two stints with the Buffalo Bandits (1994 and 1999), as well as stops with the the Syracuse Smash (1998) and Pittsburgh CrosseFire (2000).

In thirteen seasons playing in the OLA Major circuit, Batley suited up for the Peterborough Lakers, Six Nations Chiefs and Akwesasne Thunder.

Resch has been around the league almost since its inception, playing six years for Philadelphia (1988 to 1993), serving as the team's assistant coach for one season, and holding the Wings' top job for seven seasons.

Resch posted a 61-29 record as head coach of the Wings, winning three titles (1995, 1998, and 2001) and one Coach of the Year award (2001). He also won two titles as a player (1989 and 1990) and one as assistant to then-Wings head coach and current Vancouver Ravens general manager Dave Evans (1994).

Resch was also Team USA's co-coach (with Darris Kilgour) for last October's Heritage Cup game against Canada (a 21-16 win), and will have full reigns of the team for May's World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.

"I am excited about the prospect of working with Tony," Batley said. "He has such an amazing amount of experience and proven results in this league."

"Combined with what I have learned in working with these players all season, I think it is going to be great opportunity for us all."

"I am thrilled to get the opportunity to work with Jamie, a fantastic organization and a talented group of athletes," Resch said. "I feel strongly that Jamie and I together can help bring this excellent team up to the level of greatness they are capable of."

Team Batley/Resch debuts Sunday afternoon in Vancouver (7:00 PM Eastern).