AFL Quick Hitters: Looking at the Arena Defenses
February 27, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1) News Release
Defense wins championships and Arena Football is no different. Here is a quick breakdown of some Arena Football teams' defensive outlooks.
Orlando Predators
Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator - EJ Burt
The Predators are set up to have a killer defensive line, partially thanks to head coach and defensive coordinator E.J. Burt. Burt played for over a decade as a defensive lineman with a notable stint with the very team he now coaches. In his playing days, he won a Lineman of the Year award and made the All-AFL rookie team with the Predators. He has been pulling the strings defensively for the Predators for the last five seasons.
The Predators have recently signed Nick Coe. He is an Auburn alum with multiple years of pro experience, but this will be his first year in the arena. Even though he is 6-5 and 290 lbs, he is incredibly fast and explosive, posting a 4.89 40-yard dash and 29 in vertical jump pre-draft. In the backfield, Joshua Jenkins returns for his fourth season with the Predators. Over the last two seasons, he has totalled 100 tackles and 11 interceptions. Jenkins is often high up on the league leaderboards in both those categories.
Billings Outlaws
Head Coach - Cedric Walker
Defensive Line Coach - Qasim Mitchel
The Outlaws are set with experienced defensive play callers. Head coach Cedric Walker was a long-time linebacker in the AFL and was sixth on the career tackles list at the time of his retirement. He then went out and picked up NFL experience by hiring Qasim Mitchell. Mitchell played three years for the Chicago Bears and has been coaching for multiple years at the professional level.
All in all, the Outlaws are looking to be one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the league. The backfield will be highlighted by rookie Machiah Lee and second-year pro Nazir Streater. The line will likely be led by Raunya Mitchell. He is one of the biggest guys on the line at 6-5 and 320 lbs. At IUP, he garnered 45 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. Again, there are lots of young players, and anyone could shine through.
Washington Wolfpack
Head Coach - JR Wells
The Wolfpack has notably signed Brandon Wellington, who hails from the University of Washington. In 48 games, the defensive back put up 118 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 fumble return touchdowns. V.J. Malo also appears as a D end for the Wolfpack He's a vicious tackler, setting records at Portland State for both tackles for loss (20) and sacks (10.5)
Oregon Blackbears
Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Chuck Jones
Coach Chuck Jones will have double duties, taking on the roles of head coach and defensive coordinator. Coach Jones notably played for the Kansas Jayhawks in his collegiate days, as well as another decade in indoor football.
The Blackbears signees are centered around players with experience. One of those is Nick Brassell, a seasoned defensive back who played last season with the Albany Empire. He will be joined in the backfield by XFL draftee Jeremiah Spicer and indoor veteran Deanthony Hall-Steele.
Albany Firebirds
Head Coach - Damon Ware
Defensive Coordinator - Dwayne Hollis
Coach Ware is likely going to be leaving a lot of play calling to his defensive coordinator, Dwayne Hollis, considering most of Ware's career has been spent as an offensive coordinator. For Hollis, this will be his first time coaching in the Arena Football League, but before that, he was a long-time defensive back. His most recent season was in 2023 with the Orlando Predators. His history indicates that he will be a confident playcaller with much familiarity with the arena rules and schemes.
Arthur Hobbs is one veteran presence in the Firebirds defensive backfield. With a career spanning 12 years, he has seen action in multiple leagues for countless teams. Last season with the San Antonio Gunslingers, he totaled 34 tackles with 2 interceptions. Tony Fair sits as one of the anchors on the line. Fair spent time in both the SEC and USFL, bringing high-level experience and good size to the line. Deanthony Hall-Steele is an additional veteran appearance on the Blackbears defense. He mixes in as an edge rusher and linebacker.
Minnesota Myth
Head Coach - Rickey Foggie
Defensive Coordinator - Jeff Loots
As former players, Coach Foggie and Coach Loots bring to the table over 20 years of combined AFL experience with additional years of coaching on top. However, both coaches spent their careers as quarterbacks. The pair has been on the coaching side now for longer than they played, so it is unlikely that their playing careers will affect the ability to call a successful defense.
Isiah Malone spent his four years of college ball at Augsburg University, racking up 166 tackles with 10 interceptions and taking home All-Conference Second-Team Honors. He also has suitable experience as a defensive backs coach at his alma mater, which could pay dividends in bringing up his fellow DBs.
Nashville Kats
Head Coach - Dean Cokinos
Coach Cokinos has an illustrious career of over 30 years as a coach. He has held every position available, so there is not a single facet of the game that will escape his comprehension. Of that time coaching, nine of them have been in the AFL and af2, with his most recent trip being from 2017-2018 with the Washington Valor. Although the Kats have not announced a defensive coordinator, the defense will be in safe hands with coach Cokinos.
Coach Cokinos has cemented a defensive line that will pose dangers for offenses. The biggest presence on the line might be Zaycoven Henderson. On the D-Line for the Texas A&M Aggies, Henderson tacked on a massive 116 tackles and 8.5 sacks, which was enough for the Cleveland Browns to sign him in 2018. He comes to the Kats now from the Frisco Fighters (IFL).
Philadelphia Soul
Head Coach - Patrick Pimmel
The landscape of defensive play-calling is unforeseeable at the time being. Patrick Pimmel is an established coach with professional experience dating back to 2007 with the River City Rage. For most of his career, he has been on the pedestal of the head coaching position, but when it was not, he was tackling the role of offensive coordinator.
One big pickup for the Soul was defensive back, Lamont Wade. The Penn State weapon played most of his games during his junior and senior seasons. He was nothing but relentless during those two years, landing a tremendous 153 career tackles and getting to sign in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rapid City Marshals
Head Coach - Shon King
DB/ Special Teams Coach - Xallier Patterson
Coach King was a career wide receiver and has not spent any time as a defensive coordinator; although he has served as a DB/special teams coach. In a similar fashion, Coach Patterson was also a career wide receiver/defensive back, with most of his coaching experience being as an offensive coordinator. Without a defensive coordinator being announced, it will be interesting to see who takes up the responsibility of defensive management.
Iowa Rampage
Head Coach - Tyus Jackson
Defensive Coordinator - Laroche Jackson
Co-Defensive Coordinator - James Romain
The Rampage front office has assembled a group of coaches that will prime the defense. Coach Tyus Jackson, Coach Laroche Jackson, and Coach Romain are all Arena Football veterans, bringing a combined 30 years of arena experience as players and even more in coaching experience. This group of coaches all played as either a defensive back or linebacker, so they have a deep understanding of the defensive intricacies of Arena Football.
Marquis Burks is another Auburn lineman taking on the AFL this season. Standing at 6-3 and 315 lbs, he is making his move into the arena.
Salina Liberty
Head Coach - Heron O'Neal
The Liberty have hired a multitude of assistant coaches to be on head coach Heron O'Neal's staff, but it is unclear who the defensive responsibilities are going to fall to.
Big signee Tyarise Stevenson brings solid experience to the Liberty line. He played at the University of Tulsa (109 tackles and 3.5 sacks) and was afterwards signed by the Minnesota Vikings. At 6-3 365 lbs, his greatest offering will be physicality and aggression.
Southwest Kansas Storm
Head Coach - Gary Thomas
Defensive Coordinator - Jason Scheck
One standout in the Storm defensive backfield is going to be Lashard Durr. Durr Played for Mississippi State, accumulating 36 tackles in 24 games. After his time at state, he got some preseason action with the Indianapolis Colts. This will be his first dive into Arena Football.
Wichita Regulators
Head Coach - Clinton Solomon
Coach Clinton Solomon is coming into his first year coaching, but he previously had a long career as a wide receiver. Without a defensive coordinator announced, the future of the Regulators' defense is hazy.
Key defensive players include Anthony Howard Jr, a combo lineman and linebacker, and Dalvin Stuckey, a solid 6-4 and 330 lb anchor on both sides of the line.
Louisiana Voodoo
Head Coach - James Shiver
A strong point on the Voodoo D-line is Mason Newton. In the several indoor seasons he has in the book, he has recorded 48 tackles and 4 sacks in 28 games. He is going to be instrumental in the Voodoo pass rush. Also, look out for linebacker Kerry Starks. He hails from the University of Louisiana Monroe was the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year for the NAL. He makes the QB feel his presence on every snap.
West Texas Desert Hawks
Head Coach - Chris Siegfried
Coach Siegfried is going to be making an interesting transition this season. Chris Siegfried was the beloved commissioner of the National Arena League for about seven years, and he has now made his return to coaching for the first time since 2012. He has not held a previous defensive role, but his experience as a league commissioner will surely help if he does end up leading the defense.
As it stands, the Desert Hawks' stardom really shines on the offensive front, but there are significant players on the opposite side of the ball. Cecil Cherry is one notable player. The linebacker has spent three years now playing professional football and played collegiately at the University of Tennessee Martin. He was the 2022 Fan Controlled Football League Defensive Player of the Year.
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Arena Football One Stories from February 27, 2024
- Former IFL Quarterback Jack Sheehan Signs with the Marshals - Rapid City Marshals
- AFL Quick Hitters: Looking at the Arena Defenses - AF1
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