Dayton coach thinks Pearson will do well
May 26, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release
DAYTON, Ohio â There is nothing more exhilarating than to see one of your own take flight and leave the nest on its own.
However, it sometimes leaves an empty feeling within the shell, and despite the joyous occasion that has been bestowed upon the one advancing, there are shoes to fill elsewhere.
Taking flight south, and not because of winter, was Pepe Pearson earlier this week to reap the rewards of sun, sand and the ocean. Throw in a head coaching job in the National Indoor Football League and the picture was compete.
The 29-year-old Pearson found himself in a precarious situation, but a comfortable one at that, when he was named to take over the Daytona Beach Hawgs, a team with a descent record, but having focus problems.
Leaving the nest of the Dayton Warbirds was difficult. The departure from a winning combination, former teammates from college and a coach who had put him under his wing in previous mentor positions unfolded.
"I am extremely excited about this move for Pep," said Dayton Warbirds head coach Matt King. "I've wanted to help him out all along and this is a great opportunity for him."
Coaches Are At Ohio Dominican
Pearson, who along with King, are assistant coaches at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, have know each other for some time. It was King who recruited Pearson to play for the NIFL Warbirds.
The popular, former Ohio State Buckeye, Pearson played in nine games this season for the Warbirds where he gained 320 yards on 83 carries (3.9 per) and scored 10 touchdowns. He also had eight receptions for 61 yards a touchdown in his first season of indoor football.
Now that he possibly looks to his playing career as a jet stream behind him, Pearson will have new responsibility he hasn't had before. "He's been an amazing coach for us (Ohio Dominican)," said King. "It's (playing for Dayton) has been a good experience for him and he knew his playing days weren't done. He told me he just wanted to move in that (coaching) direction more."
Ray, McClellion Join âBeach' Party
Pearson has brought to Daytona Beach two other coaches. They are defensive coach Marcus Ray from Michigan State and the Oakland Raiders, and Central McClellion, out of Delray Beach, Florida, who was a teammate of Person's at Ohio State.
Ray also works with King and Pearson at Ohio Dominican. "Marcus is a phenomenal defensive coach." King added. "Once he gets the system in, he'll have some coverages I probably won't recognize."
King said he hoped to continue his relationship with Pearson and "I hope someday we can work together at this level or higher.
"The one thing I want to say is: Pepe Pearson will be good for Daytona."
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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 26, 2005
- Maulers at Local Grand Opening - Montgomery Bears
- Dayton coach thinks Pearson will do well - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Fever sign nose guard - Tri-Cities Fever
- Fever-Warbirds game preview - Tri-Cities Fever
- Renegades Make Several Roster Moves - Rome Renegades
- Reading With the Maulers - Montgomery Bears
- Dayton heads west for two games - Dayton Bulldogs
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