Storm Make Additions to Coaching Staff

Published on February 11, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm are pleased to announce the addition of three coaches to the coaching staff, Donnie Abraham, John Gregory and Lawrence Samuels, announced vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.

"We are extremely excited to have all three coaches join the staff," said Gooch. "All three bring a wealth of football knowledge, from the x's and o's, to the fundamentals of the game. Donnie, John and Lawrence will be big assets in helping head coach Dave Ewart get the most out of our roster."

"Not only do all three have a great knowledge of and ability to teach football, they are quality people as well," added Ewart. "I have known all three for some time now and I confident in their abilities and comfortable with their styles of coaching. I couldn't be more pleased to have them join the staff."

Abraham returns for his second season with the Storm as defensive backs coach. He joined the team last season and inherited a young group of defensive backs that had only 25 games under their belt, including 15 starts at the position. By the end of the season the unit led the league in fewest yards allowed in the passing game.

Gregory will serve as the offensive coordinator for the Storm. He spent the past four seasons as the head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers and has been a head coach in Arena Football since 1995. He is credited with helping to develop two of the greatest AFL quarterbacks to play the game, Aaron Garcia and Kurt Warner.

Samuels will be responsible for the development of the wide receivers and will assist with special teams. The legendary AFL Ironman and Storm great spent the past season as the wide receivers coach for Central State University (Wilberforce, OH). Samuels was the AFL's all-time leading receiver prior to the end of his career and he was the first player in the history of the AFL to surpass 1,000 career receptions and the sixth overall in all of professional football.

The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm celebrates its 25th season in the AFL. The 2012 Season home opener is Friday, March 16 versus South Division rival Georgia Force. 2012 season tickets and four-game packs are currently on sale; those who purchase season tickets in the promenade level receive a free replica Storm jersey per seat commitment and will receive discounts on merchandise and concessions. For more information call 813.301.6600 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com. Additionally fans and sponsors can follow the Storm on Facebook (Tampa Bay Storm) or Twitter (@tampabaystorm) for up to date news and exclusive content.

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