Alliance of American Football Unveils Mike Singletary as Head Coach of Alliance Memphis
May 10, 2018 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
Memphis Express News Release
MEMPHIS, Tenn - Today, The Alliance of American Football introduced their third market, Alliance Memphis, and unveiled Mike Singletary as head coach with Kosha Irby as team president. Alliance Memphis home games will be played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, home to the University of Memphis Tigers, Southern Heritage Classic and AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Fans looking to secure tickets early for the inaugural season can purchase season ticket seat deposits for $50 on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Thursday, May 10, at 1:30 PM CT on AAF.com or by calling (833) AAF-2019.
"Memphis is often referred to as 'America's largest small town.' It is a vibrant city full of culture and spirit, with so much to do and see, while at the same time, it's a such a strong, tight-knit community. It's no surprise that the city's millennial population has grown significantly over the years," said Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO, The Alliance. "With Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium packed each week in support of the Memphis Tigers, we're excited to bring more football to town and integrate the team into this community on and off the field with Coach Singletary leading the way."
He added, "Coach Singletary brings a level of passion and a love for the game that is hard to come by. Having Kosha Irby on board as president of Alliance Memphis solidifies the team's leadership. His sports business experience will help drive long-term success and sustainability. We look forward to seeing Alliance Memphis compete for a championship in 2019 and beyond."
Mike Singletary was a second-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in the 1981 NFL Draft. A nearly unanimous all-rookie selection, Singletary would become the cornerstone of the Bears' innovative 46-defense, starting 172 games during his 12-year career, which is the second most in club history. Selected to play in a team record 10 Pro Bowls, Singletary was All-Pro eight times, All-NFC every year from 1983 until 1991, NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988 and a Super Bowl Champion. In 2003, Singletary began his coaching career as linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens, pairing him with Ray Lewis. He went on to become the San Francisco 49ers head coach in 2009, leading the team to its first non-losing season since 2002. He joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2011, serving as the team's linebackers coach for three seasons. In 2016 he served as a defensive advisor to the Los Angeles Rams.
"Mike is a passionate, dedicated and intelligent leader. During his hall-of-fame career he played with an unmatched level of intensity that served as the catalyst for a historic, Super Bowl winning defense. He brings the same leadership qualities to the sidelines," said Bill Polian, co-founder and head of football, The Alliance. "His experience as a player and head coach will be invaluable to Alliance Memphis players and will have them in position to succeed on and off the field."
"I took tremendous pride in leading, teaching and competing during my playing days, and that experience prepared me for my coaching career. I enjoy working closely with players and doing everything possible to set them up for success on and off the field. This is an opportunity to do that again at the professional level, and I'm excited to get started," said Mike Singletary, head coach, Alliance Memphis. "From day one, I was intrigued by Charlie and Bill's commitment to putting high quality football on the field in the spring, fueled by an alliance between players, fans and the game. The foundation is set, and now it's about putting a team together here in Memphis that will compete for a championship."
Beginning June 1, 2008, Kosha Irby will oversee all business functions for Alliance Memphis. Most recently, Irby oversaw live event marketing and sales for various domestic and international markets on behalf of the WWE. In this role, his primary focus was identifying markets, driving revenue, and increasing brand awareness and attendance for the sports entertainment giant. Prior to joining WWE in 2011, Irby served as senior associate director of athletics at Georgia State University. There, he provided daily supervision for all marketing and sales functions and was instrumental to the launch of its Division 1 football program.
Ticket pricing and seat locations for Alliance Memphis home games will be released later this summer. The Alliance has committed to making a limited number of $35 sideline seats available for purchase. These will be among the best seats in the house but will not be the least or most expensive available, as there will be tickets with pricing to accommodate every budget.
About the Alliance of American of American Football
Led by some of the most respected football minds in the game, The Alliance of American Football is high-quality professional football fueled by a dynamic Alliance between players, fans and the game. Fans will be able to stream Alliance matchups live via the free Alliance app while accessing integrated fantasy options with real rewards - for themselves and the players they are cheering on. Players will have state-of-the-art protection on the field and ample opportunities off it. The Alliance will provide players a comprehensive bonus system, post-football career planning as well as counseling and scholarship support for postsecondary education. Founded by TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol and Hall of Famer Bill Polian, The Alliance features 8 teams playing a 10-week regular season schedule kicking-off February 9, 2019 on CBS, followed by two playoff rounds and culminating with the championship game the weekend of April 26-28, 2019.
• Discuss this story on the Alliance of American Football message board...
Alliance of American Football Stories from May 10, 2018
- Alliance of American Football Unveils Mike Singletary as Head Coach of Alliance Memphis - Memphis Express
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
