McKinnon, Slaughter part ways

Less than a month after joining Chicago Slaughter coach Steve McMichael's staff, Dennis McKinnon is out as wide receivers coach.

"It had nothing to do with a personality conflict between him and McMichael," said Slaughter general manager Alan Perkins on Tuesday. "Those two are friends. I just think a lot of the coaching staff didn't see eye to eye. I can't have that sort of conflict within the coaching staff."

McKinnon's dismissal Monday came just three days after the Slaughter let a 20-point halftime lead slip away against the Kalamazoo Xplosion in a 46-39 overtime loss at the Sears Centre. Perkins said the season-opening setback was not the determining factor in parting ways with the former Bears receiver.

"The problems would have still existed," Perkins said. "Last year we did very well without Dennis -- we thought adding him would be an advantage. In certain ways it was, but in certain ways it was more of a distraction."

Offensive coordinator Pat Pistorio will assume McKinnon's duties when the Slaughter travels to Milwaukee on March 21 to face the Bonecrushers. Perkins said it is unlikely the team will add a coach to replace McKinnon.