Fran
09-06-2007, 07:58 AM
Former Florida and NFL quarterback Shane Matthews was announced on Wednesday as the first coach of the state entry in the All-American Football League at a press conference.
The AAFL is a new league for players who graduated from college. Several former pro players are playing for the Florida team, called Team Florida.
The Florida team must include a minimum of 10 players from the University of Florida and a minimum of 10 from other state schools on the 42-man roster. There will also be four practice players.
Each player will earn $50,000 for the 10-game season.
Ex-Gator star Terry Jackson will serve as an assistant coach, along with UF former assistants Jim Collins and Red Anderson.
The season starts on April 12 and concludes July 3 with the championship. There will be teams from six states, also including Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas and Alabama. Similar tie-ins will apply to local college teams.
Matthews said coaching is something he's always wanted to try.
"I grew up a coach's son, and I've always wanted to be a coach," Matthews said. "People ask me why I'm not playing (in the league). I just finished my 14th year in the NFL. I've had enough and I'm ready to move on with the next phase of my life.
"I always wanted to be a coach, and I'd always hoped that I would some day coach at Florida. So to be able to come back and coach where I played is going to be very exciting for me."
Steve Rissler, Tony George, Judd Davis, Willie Jackson, Chris Doering, Fred Weary, Travis McGriff, Doc Pollard, Corey Bailey and Ran Carthon are some of the ex-Gators who plan to play.
Tickets will range from $10 to $60 and three of Team Florida's games will be played in Gainesville. Tampa and Orlando are in the running for the other two home contests for the Sunshine State squad.
The AAFL is a new league for players who graduated from college. Several former pro players are playing for the Florida team, called Team Florida.
The Florida team must include a minimum of 10 players from the University of Florida and a minimum of 10 from other state schools on the 42-man roster. There will also be four practice players.
Each player will earn $50,000 for the 10-game season.
Ex-Gator star Terry Jackson will serve as an assistant coach, along with UF former assistants Jim Collins and Red Anderson.
The season starts on April 12 and concludes July 3 with the championship. There will be teams from six states, also including Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas and Alabama. Similar tie-ins will apply to local college teams.
Matthews said coaching is something he's always wanted to try.
"I grew up a coach's son, and I've always wanted to be a coach," Matthews said. "People ask me why I'm not playing (in the league). I just finished my 14th year in the NFL. I've had enough and I'm ready to move on with the next phase of my life.
"I always wanted to be a coach, and I'd always hoped that I would some day coach at Florida. So to be able to come back and coach where I played is going to be very exciting for me."
Steve Rissler, Tony George, Judd Davis, Willie Jackson, Chris Doering, Fred Weary, Travis McGriff, Doc Pollard, Corey Bailey and Ran Carthon are some of the ex-Gators who plan to play.
Tickets will range from $10 to $60 and three of Team Florida's games will be played in Gainesville. Tampa and Orlando are in the running for the other two home contests for the Sunshine State squad.