Defensive Coordinator Maurice Blanding Joins VooDoo Coaching Staff (picture Attached/Credit Pittsbur
October 6, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara added to his coaching staff, signing 10-year arena football coaching veteran Maurice Blanding as the team's Defensive Coordinator, announced the front office on Thursday afternoon.
"Maurice and I have a long-standing history; he's a high-energy coach and very hard-working. We were set to coach together for the Los Angeles Avengers in 2009 before the league folded. Ever since, we've always talked about working together again, and now we will finally be able to do so in New Orleans," said O'Hara.
Blanding comes to the VooDoo after spending the 2011 season with the Pittsburgh Power, serving as the team's defensive coordinator. The Power finished the season 9-9 under Blanding's tutelage.
Prior to his one-year stint with the Power, Blanding coached in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 2009. Blanding assisted the team on special teams, especially with the kicking and punting game. During his internship with the Panthers, he worked with NFL Special Teams Coordinators Danny Crossman (Detroit Lions) and Jeff Rodgers (Denver Broncos), both on staff during the 2009 season.
Blanding was set to work under O'Hara with the Los Angeles Avengers in 2009, signing on with the team after the conclusion of the 2008 season; however, the AFL suspended operations and neither O'Hara nor Blanding called a play for the Avengers. Blanding did serve as the team's Defensive Coordinator and Director of Player Personnel for six months prior to the AFL's fold.
"I'm very excited to have this opportunity with the New Orleans VooDoo, and even more excited to have an opportunity to coach with Pat again," said Blanding. "We both had a good chemistry and have always kept in touch. It's almost like we get a chance to finish what we started in 2008 together in L.A."
The High Point, N.C. native spent the two seasons prior to the Avengers with the Kansas City Brigade, serving as the squad's Defensive Coordinator. The team led the AFL in total defense in 2007, and ranked in the Top 5 in 2008 under his guidance. Behind Blandings' defense, the Brigade went to the playoffs in 2007 - the franchise's first and only postseason appearance.
Before Blanding took over the defensive controls for the Brigade, he was the Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs coach for the Georgia Force for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. With the Force, Blanding not only assisted with a defense that ranked in the Top 5 in the AFL in scoring defense, but he also helped guide Georgia to ArenaBowl XIX.
Blanding's first coaching gig on the AFL level came with the Carolina Cobras in 2003, serving as the Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs coach. He would remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2004 season.
Prior to the Cobras, Blanding spent the 2002 season as an assistant coach with the Augusta Stallions of the af2. His coaching career with the Stallions started abruptly, following an unexpected career-ending knee injury in the final game of the 2001 regular season. Blanding put together an outstanding rookie season with the Stallions in 2001 prior to the injury, recording a single-season team record 70.5 total tackles and 6 interceptions.
Blanding was a college football star at North Carolina Central University, where he played in a very talented secondary for three seasons. He started the 1999 and 2000 seasons at defensive back, with both resulting in All-CIAA recognition and the team's Capitan and Leadership Awards. Blanding finished his career as an Eagle with 123 total tackles and 5 interceptions.
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