ATLANTA - After losing four of their first five games, the Georgia Force made a coaching change on Sunday, firing Robert Lyles and hiring Marty Lowe. <br>
<br>
``We have a very talented group of players who have been successful in the past,'' Force president Jim Thomas said. ``Under coach Lyles and his staff these players were not achieving the results we anticipated. We believe there is sufficient time to have a successful season this year if we make a change before we dig too deep of a hole.'' <br>
<br>
Lowe is leaving Texas-El Paso, where he served as running backs coach, to take the Force job. He served as offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats in 2000 and 2001 before the Arena Football League team moved to Atlanta after losing the league title in the Arena Bowl last season. <br>
<br>
Lyles became the Force coach last December. He was entering his seventh year in the Arena League, having served as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers last season after replacing Stan Brock following the third game. He finished last year with a 5-6 record. He also served on tahe coaching staffs of the Portland Forest Dragons and the Memphis Pharaohs. <br>
<br>
``We are confident, with Coach Lowe, we will find the chemistry to allow this team to realize its potential. We appreciate coach Lyles' efforts, and we sincerely wish him success in the future.'' <br>
<br>
Lowe, who played quarterback at Louisville from 1991-1995, spent two in the Arena League, playing quarterback for the St. Louis Stampede in 1996 and then the Texas Terrors, where he started until a knee injury ended his playing career.
