Ken Mastrole

Ken Mastrole
Personal information
Born: (1977-02-25) February 25, 1977 (age 47)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
College:Maryland (1996–1998)
Rhode Island (1999)
Position:Quarterback
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards

Ken Mastrole (born February 25, 1977) is an American former football player. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL), NFL Europe, and intercollegiate football at the University of Maryland and University of Rhode Island.

Early years

Mastrole was born on February 25, 1977, and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[1] He attended Cardinal Gibbons High School where he played football.[2] He was highly recruited out of high school, with interest from Duke, Miami, Clemson, and Virginia Tech. He ultimately chose to attend Maryland. His high school coach said that "he liked everything about Maryland—the atmosphere, the school, the curriculum, the football program."[3]

College career

Maryland

Mastrole sat out his true freshman year in 1995 on redshirt status.[1] During the following two seasons, he served as the back-up behind starting quarterback Brian Cummings.[4]

In 1996, he saw action in eight games, including three starts.[5] Mastrole was the first redshirt freshman to ever start as a quarterback at Maryland.[5] He recorded a total of 36 completions in 89 attempts for 354 yards and one touchdown.[5] Against Virginia, starting quarterback Brian Cummings separated his right shoulder, and Mastrole relieved him. He recorded nine completions on 15 attempts for 66 yards and two interceptions.[6] Mastrole started against West Virginia in place of an injured Brian Cummings,[7] and became the first quarterback in Maryland history to start as a freshman.[5] The following week, he started against NC State, where he completed 15 of 28 pass attempts for 140 yards and one interception.[7][8] In that game, he completed a career-best 52-yard pass to Geroy Simon in the fourth quarter and then connected with tight end Tim Brown for a two-point conversion.[7] He started against Duke in place of Cummings who had suffered a concussion the previous week. Mastrole completed five of 17 passes for 106 yards including his career first touchdown pass,[9] but suffered a fractured right clavicle which ended his season.[10]

In 1997, he saw action in seven games as a backup and threw 19 passes.[5] Against Florida State, he saw action in the Terrapins' last two series, where he completed one pass for nine yards and made two rushing attempts.[10] Against Virginia, he completed three of 11 pass attempts for 47 yards.[11]

In 1998, Mastrole shared playing time with Randall Jones. Mastrole started against West Virginia, but was held to three completions on nine passes for 27 yards, before being replaced by Jones in the third quarter.[12] In the fourth game of the season, against Temple, Mastrole completed a 39-yard pass for his first touchdown since the 1996 season.[13]

Rhode Island

After Maryland head coach Ron Vanderlinden changed the offensive scheme to the option, Mastrole, a drop-back passer,[14] decided to transfer. For his senior season in 1999, he transferred to the University of Rhode Island, which employed a three-receiver offense.[15][16] There, he completed 202 passes on 374 attempts for 2,113 yards, ten interceptions, and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for a net gain of 90 yards.[17] Rhode Island compiled a 1–10 record that season.[18]

Professional career

Florida Bobcats

Mastrole signed with the Florida Bobcats on February 9, 2001. He was waived by the Bobcats on April 10, 2001.[19]

Florida Firecats

Mastrole then signed with the Florida Firecats of the af2 in April 2001 and played for the team during the 2001 season.[20][21] In November 2001, he auditioned for the Carolina Panthers, who needed a quarterback after injuries to Chris Weinke and Dameyune Craig.[22]

Chicago Bears

Amsterdam Admirals

Mastrole was allocated by the Chicago Bears to the Amsterdam Admirals in the NFL Europe. He was cut on March 31, 2002.

Scottish Claymores

On May 3, Mastrole was signed by the Scottish Claymores as a reserve behind starter Scott Dreisbach and backup James Brown.

Amsterdam Admirals (second stint)

On May 16, Mastrole was activated from the Amsterdam practice squad to serve as the second-string quarterback, and saw action against Barcelona.[23][24] With Amsterdam, Mastrole completed 12 of 28 passes for 147 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown.[25] In 2002, he competed for the Bears third-string quarterback position. In the preseason game against St. Louis Rams, Mastrole led an 81-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown.[26][27] He lost out to Henry Burris.[28]

Chicago Rush

Mastrole signed with the Chicago Rush on December 3, 2002.[29] He was waived by the Rush on January 24, 2003.[30]

Detroit Fury

Mastrole later signed with the Detroit Fury.[31] He was waived from the Fury's practice squad on May 5, 2003.[32]

Florida Firecats (second stint)

Mastrole then returned to the Firecats in May 2003, throwing for 2,284 yards and 55 touchdowns in 11 games.[33][21] Mastrole said "I could have stayed in Detroit, but I left on my own terms" and that "I figured I'd take a pay cut and go play."[34]

Detroit Fury (second stint)

Mastrole signed with the Fury in November 2003.[35]

Dallas Desperadoes

In January 2004, Mastrole was traded to the Dallas Desperadoes for future considerations.[36]

Florida Firecats (third stint)

Mastrole served as a back-up for the Desperadoes before requesting his release to return to the Firecats.[37] During the 2004 season, he recorded 59 completions on 94 attempts for 733 yards, four interceptions, and 15 touchdowns. He led Florida to the ArenaCup, where they defeated the Peoria Pirates, 39–26.[38][39]

Coaching career

In 2005, Mastrole became the Florida Firecats offensive coordinator and served in that role through the 2008 season.[40][41][42] Over those four years, he directed the league's number-one scoring offense, the number-one rated quarterback, and three 1,000-yard wide receivers.[43]

Personal life

He lives in Florida with his wife, Kim, and stepson, Dylan. Mastrole now runs his own football training camp in Florida, the Mastrole Passing Academy.[43]

References

  1. ^ a b 1997 University of Maryland Football Season Preview Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, College Park, July 10, 1997.
  2. ^ Mastrole throws four TD passes, The Miami Herald, October 23, 1994.
  3. ^ Maryland lands Gibbons' Mastrole, The Miami Herald, December 14, 1994.
  4. ^ Maryland - Florida State Depth Chart, University of Maryland, retrieved May 7, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e Maryland Football 1998 Outlook Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, August 13, 1998.
  6. ^ Virginia Grinds Out 21-3 Victory Over Terps, University of Maryland, September 14, 1996.
  7. ^ a b c Previewing The North Carolina Game, University of Maryland, October 12, 1996.
  8. ^ Wolfpack Downs Terps, 34-8, University of Maryland, October 5, 1996.
  9. ^ Final Facts From The Field Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, October 26, 1996.
  10. ^ a b Terps Play Host to No. 7 North Carolina; Continue Acc Slate Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, September 15, 1997.
  11. ^ ACC Rookie-of-the-Year Candidate Jordan Nears Maryland Freshman Rushing Record; Continues to Pile Up Offensive Numbers Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, November 5, 1997.
  12. ^ Mountaineers' offense too much for Terps Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, September 19, 1998.
  13. ^ Football Tops Temple, 30-20 Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, September 26, 1998.
  14. ^ Football Gets Much Needed Week Off Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, October 19, 1998.
  15. ^ Football Heads to New Hampshire Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Rhode Island, September 5, 2000.
  16. ^ Rams Seniors Await Final Buzzer Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Rhode Island, 1999, retrieved May 7, 2009.
  17. ^ 1999 Cumulative Season Statistics Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Rhode Island, 1999.
  18. ^ Tim Stowers named new football coach Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University of Rhode Island, April 2000.
  19. ^ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  20. ^ Reed, Ed (April 26, 2001). "New quarterback Mastrole hopes timing's right with Firecats". The News-Press. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  21. ^ a b Reed, Ed (May 15, 2003). "QB Mastrole trying to build 'chemistry'". The News-Press. pp. 3C. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  22. ^ Panthers desperate for QB, CBC Sports, November 5, 2001.
  23. ^ 2002 NFLE transactions.
  24. ^ NFL Europe Allocated Players Update Archived July 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  25. ^ Ken Mastrole Career Statistics, Football Database, retrieved May 7, 2009.
  26. ^ Ken Mastrole earns kudos in Bears' win, The Chicago Tribune, August 17, 2002.
  27. ^ Chicago vs. St Louis, USA Today, August 16, 2002.
  28. ^ Burris No. 3 QB; Mastrole is gone Archived October 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Chicago Tribune, September 1, 2002.
  29. ^ "Rush Adds Depth at QB". oursportscentral.com. December 3, 2002. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  30. ^ "Rush Announces 2003 Roster". oursportscentral.com. January 24, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  31. ^ Dorsey, David (June 6, 2003). "Mastrole looking to regain his touch". The News-Press. pp. 8C. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  32. ^ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  33. ^ Florida Firecats game notes, Out Sports Central, April 27, 2004.
  34. ^ Dorsey, David (May 10, 2003). "Coin toss to decide Cats' starting QB". The News-Press. pp. 6C. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  35. ^ "DETROIT FURY ADD SIZE AND SPEED TO ROSTER". oursportscentral.com. November 13, 2003. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  36. ^ "DETROIT FURY TRADE QUARTERBACK". oursportscentral.com. January 29, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  37. ^ Firecats vets relish last game together Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Naples Daily News, August 25, 2004.
  38. ^ Firecats re-sign QB Mastrole Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Naples Daily News, March 17, 2004.
  39. ^ 2004 ArenaCup game preview, Our Sports Central, August 26, 2004.
  40. ^ Firecats invite back coaches Mastrole, Hall Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Naples Daily News, September 24, 2005.
  41. ^ Midgett waiting for his chance[permanent dead link], The Sun Herald, May 30, 2006.
  42. ^ Firecats show their depth at wide receiver in second scrimmage Archived May 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Naples Daily News, March 12, 2009.
  43. ^ a b About us Archived June 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Mastrole Passing, retrieved May 7, 2009.