"The [indoor and outdoor] games are just so different," said White, who stepped down after three seasons as Utah's coach and general manager. "I came into the league without any Arena ball experience, and it took me a good full year to get a grip on the game."

It appears that the person most responsible for the hire agrees.

"We need someone who knows the game inside and out," team president Jason Jones said.

Tuesday morning, Jones started the process of naming White's successor. By 11 a.m., he had fielded more than a dozen calls from agents and other interested parties regarding the opening of what has to be considered one of the better jobs in the 17-team league, given the Blaze ownership's reputation for spending whatever was necessary (and allowable by AFL salary cap rules) to put a quality product on the field.

Jones, the former University of Utah punter with a master's degree in business administration from Brigham Young University, has participated in more than 30 marathons and several ironman competitions, but faces a challenge unlike any other he has experienced, having never hired a coach before.

Jones was hired to run the Blaze as president of Ken Garff Sports and Entertainment Group after White signed on as coach. He said he is confident he can find the right person, in consultation with owner John Garff, who will be involved in every step.

While White was both coach and general manager, Jones said the team is "only looking for a coach at this time," and will deal with the general manager issue later, perhaps dividing up those responsibilities among himself, the new coach and an assistant coach or assistant general manager. One thing is certain, though: The new coach will be required to live in Utah and work at the job year-round, unlike White, 56, who spent most of the offseason at his home and his ranch in Arizona. He still worked on player contracts and the like, but was not in Utah.

"It is time they get that," White acknowledged. "The league has evolved into a situation where they need someone year-round. I realize that. And it is something that I think is important to them - having someone that can be here in the offseason, working and promoting and doing all that kind of stuff."

Said Jones: "We need someone who can dig in his heels and roll up his sleeves for the entire year."

White said he won't be involved choosing his replacement, but has offered to consult with the new hire about players, contracts and anything else with which they might need help.

"I have a lot invested in this team, and I told the players [Monday] that if they want to do something for me, they need to come back and win a championship," he said.

White's son, Reed, will be a senior on this fall's BYU football team, and BYU quarterback Max Hall is his nephew, so he plans on making many trips back to Utah during his retirement, he said.

drew@sltrib.com