The Edmonton Rush introduced Paul Day as its first head coach and general manager in a press conference today.

Day, the former head coach of the Rochester Knighthawks, has the heavy task of building the expansion Rush from scratch.

"In our minds and for our organization, the best choice for our GM and head coach was Paul Day," Rush director of lacrosse operations Ahmed (A.J.) Jomha said.

"He's had an extensive career in the NLL -- that was one of the most important factors for us -- and Paul is a great team player who understands the importance of working together."

Day also has a fairly impressive record with first-year teams. In addition to being an assistant coach with the 1995 Knighthawks, who reached the Major Indoor Lacrosse League championship game, Day won a title as a player with the 1992 Buffalo Bandits.

In all, Day has participated in six league championship games, a victory as a Rochester assistant in 1997 and losses as the Knighthawks' head coach in 1999, 2000, and 2003.

After eight years skippering the Knighthawks, Day stepped down last month in search of a combined coach/GM position, an opportunity he wouldn't get in Rochester with Jody Gage firmly entrenched as general manager.

"It was a great eleven years in Rochester, but I felt it was time for a change," Day said. "I look forward to the challenge of putting together a strong and dynamic team on the floor."

Day defeated 27 other applicants for the job, including several who had previous head coaching experience in the NLL.