IFL Iowa Barnstormers

Barnstormers Announce 2022 Coaching Staff

Published on January 7, 2022 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES - The Iowa Barnstormers have finalized their coaching staff for the 2022 season, General Manager Juli Pettit announced today.

Dave Mogensen was named Head Coach of the Iowa Barnstormers in October, bringing a multitude of coaching experience on all levels to the organization. Mogensen signed a two-year contract with the Barnstormers with a clear understanding of what the organization is looking to achieve and has put together a coaching staff that share the same excitement and ambition to build a championship team in Des Moines.

"We were looking for coaches that understood and bought into the vision that both Juli (Pettit) and I have for the Barnstormers," said Coach Mogensen. "We brought in highly qualified coaches with a servant leadership mentality who are all about team over me."

As he began putting together his staff, Coach Mogensen had a vision of what he wanted his staff to look like for his first year as Head Coach of the Barnstormers.

"I had a few boxes I was looking to check off," Mogensen shared. "someone with NFL playing experience, someone with IFL coaching experience, and someone with indoor head coaching experience. The fact that we were able to check all those boxes off with our staff for 2022 with some fantastic people is amazing."

Mogensen's first hire came quickly in October, when he named Jermaine Hampton as Defensive Coordinator.

Hampton joins the Barnstormers with experience as both a coach and a player. Checking off the NFL experience box, Hampton spent three years with the Indianapolis Colts after a successful collegiate career.

"We had some great candidates for our DC job, some people I targeted and some that came about after I was hired," said Coach Mogensen. "In my first conversation with Jermaine, it was obvious he understands the football aspect of things - but it was the follow up conversations where I was able to learn about his coaching style, his convictions, and his visions that sold me on him being the right fit. He brings a unique knowledge as a former NFL player, but also understands how to teach as evident by his success working up the ladder from a HS coach, JUCO coach, NCAA coach, and pro coach. Jermaine is on an ascending coaching ladder and I'm excited to see what heights he can take us with as part of his journey."

Just this week, LaRon "Mook" Zimmerman was announced as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach. Mook also joins the Iowa Barnstormers with experience as a coach and a player. In fact, Mook has experience as a head coach under his belt in the Arena Pro Football League (APF) and the American Arena League (AAL).

"Mook was one of the first coaches I contacted after getting hired as I knew hew as still a coaching "free agent,"" said Coach Mogensen. "His track record as an indoor coach speaks for itself - he was insanely successful with the Roughriders. It was important to me that I had someone who had been a head coach at this level and Mook was our top target. He brings the experience of being a head coach, but it's the fact that he found his success the same way we plan to - connecting with the players, coaching them to the right position to be successful, and leading with conviction and empathy. Mook's energy is contagious, and I can't wait for it to infect our locker room."

After these exciting coaching announcements, the staff was still not complete and Coach Mogensen still had a few boxes to check off.

Jason Simpson was hired on as the Special Teams Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. Simpson returns to the Iowa Barnstormers with over a dozen years of combined playing and coaching experience. Simpson is familiar with the team's tradition and goals both on and off the field having spent six seasons as a player at defensive back before joining the coaching staff for the 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021 seasons. As a player, Simpson has earned several honors and also currently holds Barnstormers records in single-season combined kick return yards and single-season kick return yards.

"Jason is a tremendous coach who lives and breathes Barnstormers football," said Coach Mogensen. "He is a tremendous technical coach, who understands and can teach technique. That will be a huge asset to us, but especially in his role as a Special Team's Coordinator. I expect him to be a difference maker for us in that role - he was a must have on this staff."

Lawrence "LP" Peters is joining the football staff as Offensive Quality Control and Equipment Manager. After appearances as a wide receiver at the University of North Texas and Team USA Football, LP turned his sights to coaching. He brings indoor experience to the Iowa Barnstormers after serving as Offensive Coordinator for the Milwaukee Wolfpack of the Indoor Football Association (IFA).

"LP will be a great asset to us as a young up-and-coming coach," said Coach Mogensen. "He will specifically be an extra set of eyes on offense to ensure things are running as they should be. He will assist with drill work for the receivers and have some off the field game planning roles."

Also taking on the role of Equipment Manager, LP will be offering extra assistance to the coaching staff this season.

"LP's background being involved in programs without large support staffs made him a great choice to be our equipment manager," Mogensen added. "He has experience in that role at various stops and understands the nuances of the position."

Jackson "Jack" Bootsmiller will also be joining the football staff as Defensive Quality Control. Bootsmiller recently finished up his collegiate career at Simpson College as a defensive lineman. Excelling academically, he was named to both the Dean's List and the President's List at Simpson College. Bootsmiller has a passion for coaching, seeking out numerous opportunities to advance his coaching career.

"Jack has just finished up a highly successful playing career at Simpson and brings a fresh take on techniques and schemes," said Coach Mogensen. "In addition, he has done numerous coaching internships over the last couple summers with stops at Drake and Missouri State."

With the championship mindset in place, Coach Mogensen added some additional assets to his football staff. Mark McCormick, Dave Auwerda, and Chris Chudada join the Iowa Barnstormers as Data Analysts for the 2022 season.

"I am extremely excited about our data analysts, I sought out some guys that have a high level of football experience but not necessarily indoor experience so they can be hyper focused on the raw data," said Coach Mogensen. "Football has become such an analytical game. Having the correct data on opponent's tendencies can be a key to victory and as you look at professional staffs across the board in the NFL, CFL and around the indoor game, the most successful teams have people dedicated to crunching that data."

The Iowa Barnstormers Data Analysts will be working remotely to analyze and break down film on opposing teams, providing data to the coaching staff as they prepare to face new opponents every week.

"Our three data analysts each have a great mind for the game and understand how to watch and break down film to get the tendency data and will bring years of experience and eyes into our game planning meetings."

The Iowa Barnstormers are excited to introduce the 2022 coaching staff, led by Head Coach Dave Mogensen and look forward to the season ahead.

"I can't express enough how excited I am for this coaching staff," said Coach Mogensen. "Each guy brings a unique skill to the table and understands the vision of what we are trying to do. A great staff brings a dynamic and diverse group of people together to focus on one goal - I believe we have done just that. Each one is committed to doing whatever it takes to bring a championship to the Barnstormers fans in 2022."

Season Tickets for the Iowa Barnstormers 2022 season are available now! For as low as $96 per seat, fans can enjoy the action from the same great seat location each game. For more information, call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255 or log on to www.theiowabarnstormers.com.

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