An Interview With: Head Coach Les Moss
Published on April 30, 2021 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release
The past year has come with challenges and change for all, the Iowa Barnstormers organization being no exception. After a year with no play, the team feels lucky to be gearing up for the 2021 season and hit the field again. This season, a new Head Coach is taking the reigns.
Les Moss was officially named Head Coach of the Iowa Barnstormers on April 5, 2021, just three weeks before Training Camp was set to begin.
With little time to prepare, Coach Moss set his sights on establishing his coaching staff announcing Rob Keefe as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. He then examined the roster in place.
"Offensively with Daquan Neal coming back our quarter back situation is solid, our receivers and offensive line are solid, we feel good about our running back situation," said Coach Moss. "Defensively we felt like we needed to make some additions, we were short on defensive players to begin with so that's where our main focus has been."
Those additions include the likes of Kenton Bartlett, Christopher Biggurs, Denzel Chukwukelu, and Tavaris Owens on the defensive line and Tyrone Cromwell, Elijah Johnson, Tavian Lott, John McClure III, Edward Nelson, Jr, and Dorian Walker on the defensive backs corps. All recent signings who entered the team's Training Camp this week.
With an extensive background in coaching arena football, Coach Moss had no hesitation about taking leadership as Head Coach of the Iowa Barnstormers, quickly establishing a precedence for the season ahead.
Coach Moss began his career in coaching in 1988 as an Assistant Coach for the Chicago Bruisers. He added the Detroit Drive to his resume in 1990 after joining the organization as an Assistant Coach. Since his start he has served as Defensive Coordinator for the Orlando Predators (1991-2003), Tight Ends Coach for the Orlando Rage (2001), Head Coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (2004-2009), Head Coach of the Jacksonville Sharks (2010-2019), and most recently Assistant Head Coach of the Albany Empire, alongside Rob Keefe, during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Throughout his career, Coach Moss has earned several accolades and collected numerous Championship rings (five to be exact). In 2019, Coach Moss and Coach Keefe led the Albany Empire to the last Arena Bowl Championship in the Arena Football League (AFL).
While the AFL is a different style of arena football than the IFL, Coach Moss is confident that the Iowa Barnstormers will have no troubles accomplishing their goals for the 2021 season.
"We feel confident in being able to adapt to the IFL game, live reps are important always in the development of players and coaches," said Coach Moss. Once we start playing games it will be quick, but we feel confident that the learning curve will be short."ÃÂ
With such an extensive resume in the AFL, Coach Moss was plenty familiar with the Iowa Barnstormers before being named Head Coach.
"I was fortunate enough to coach against the Barnstormers their first year in 1995 in the semi-finals. That was our first trip out there when I was with the Orlando Predators. Kurt Warner was there and we won that game to go to the Arena Bowl in 1995; of course, they returned the favor a couple years later in 1997 and beat us in the semi-finals to go to the Arena Bowl."
These were not the only experiences Coach Moss had with the Barnstormers, coaching against the team several more times throughout his time in the AFL.
"The Barnstormers have always been a tough team, they've always been well coached, they've got a history of great coaches that have been here since the beginning with Coach Gregory," said Coach Moss. "The Barnstormers organization has always been in good hands, Mr. Pettit did a great job with this organization for many, many years and the leadership with Mr. Lamberti, the history is here, the support is here, the fans are incredible, and that makes this job very appealing."
Now joining the right side of the turf, Coach Moss has taken the reigns over the Iowa Barnstormers team.
"I'm excited to be working with such a great organization. The Barnstormers are a storied franchise that has a great tradition of winning and to have a chance to lead an organization as the Head Coach like this, these are the kinds of jobs that don't come around very often so I'm very excited about this opportunity."
So what can fans expect on the field this season?
"They can expect a team that is going to play hard, play within the rules, and win a lot of football games. This is going to be a team that the Des Moines fans are very proud of."
Going into this season, Coach Moss only has one goal in mind and that is to be the last team standing.
Season Tickets for the 2021 Iowa Barnstormers season are on sale now for as low as $96 per seat. Don't miss a minute of the action! Call 515-633-2255 or visitÃÂ www.theiowabarnstormers.comÃÂ for more information.
Indoor Football League Stories from April 30, 2021
- An Interview With: Head Coach Les Moss - Iowa Barnstormers
- Mass. Pirates Transaction Round-Up - Orlando Pirates
- Iowa Barnstormers Kickoff Training Camp in Des Moines - Iowa Barnstormers
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.
