The Carolina Rhinos were one of the original 15 teams to join the inaugural 2000 AF2 season. They were members of the American Conference for their entirety of existence, and the Eastern Division in 2001 and 2002. In their first year, they won 7 of their first 9 games, finished the 2000 season with a 9 wins and 7 losses, en route to the playoffs, before losing to the Augusta Stallions. In 2001, again, they won 7 of their first 9 games, completing a season record of 12 wins and 4 losses, and for the first time ever, they won a playoff game, beating the Tulsa Talons, before losing to the eventual champion, Quad City Steamwheelers. In 2002, everyone expected Carolina to not only go to the playoffs, but to do something great. The Rhinos. didn't do so well on the playing field, going 5-11, and