Brigade retools with three new coaches for 2007 campaign

Published on September 20, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


The Kansas City Brigade, in its continuing effort to put a championship product on the field next season, has hired two of the most up-and-coming coaches in the Arena Football League and a recently retired player who was a dominant lineman in the AFL for 13 years. Chris Siegfried (offensive coordinator), Maurice Blanding (defensive coordinator) and Otis Moore (line coach) will report to Kansas City next month.

"The addition of these three talented coaches falls right in line with the direction of our organization," head coach Kevin Porter said. "The personnel and structure has been changed, but our goal remains the same, which is to compete game in and game out and win the Arena Bowl championship."

The ties among the staff run deep. Porter was the head coach of arenafootball2's Macon Knights and Siegfried was his first offensive coordinator. Blanding played and then coached against them with intrastate rival Augusta Stallions. Porter and Blanding renewed their coaching rivalry in the AFL as Porter coached at New Orleans and then took charge of the Brigade while Blanding coached for division rival Georgia. Blanding was also on the staff of the AFL's Carolina Cobras when Moore played there.

Chris Siegfried comes to the Brigade in his first turn as an AFL coach after stints as the head coach of two af2 expansion teams. He recently was the head coach of af2's Spokane Shock, which just completed a 14-2 regular season campaign and won the ArenaCup. Prior to that Siegfried spent three years as the head coach of the Cape Fear Wildcats, compiling a 38-18 record, including three playoff runs and two ArenaCup appearances.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to hook up with Coach Porter again," Siegfried said. "After meeting the ownership group and the people involved, I know I'm part of a first class organization."

As concerns the offense Siegfried noted, "It needs to improve, but with a full off-season to prepare for our opponents and the rules changes, it will improve. That's why I'm here. I've had success in af2 and my challenge is being able to have the same type of success in the AFL. I'm excited about the step up in talent and working with better players. I'm confident my style is going to fit the Brigade real well and make strong improvements in the offensive game."

Maurice Blanding joins the Brigade staff following two seasons as the wide receivers, defensive backs and special teams coach for the Georgia Force, which went to the ArenaBowl in 2005. Previously he spent two seasons with the Carolina Cobras as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs and special teams coach. Blanding began his coaching career in 2002 with af2's Augusta Stallions as the defensive backs and special teams coach.

"I am very excited to be part of a great staff and organization, and in a city that is hungry for a championship," Blanding said. "[Porter] has done a great job re-signing a lot of guys and I feel fortunate that we'll have so much talent. I'm ready to get in there and get rolling."

Addressing the fans, Blanding added, "I can guarantee we will come to play, we'll be physical, and we'll continue the good defensive mentality [Porter] put in place last year. He had a top-five defense even though the record didn't show it."

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Blanding was a defensive specialist for the Augusta Stallions in 2001. He finished that year with a single-season team record 70.5 tackles and led the Stallions with six interceptions. He also set single-game team marks for tackles (8.5 at Macon on 4/7/01) and interceptions (three vs. Columbus on 4/21/01).

Blanding is a graduate of North Carolina Central University where he was an all-CIAA defensive back. He finished his career with 123 total tackles and five interceptions. He was the Eagles' Captain's Award and Leadership Award winner in 1999 and 2000.

Otis Moore is entering his first-ever coaching job but is not without expertise. His final season in the Arena Football League with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2005 ended a stellar 13-year career. He played in 130 straight AFL games dating back to his rookie season with the Charlotte Rage in 1994. Moore also spent time with the New York CityHawks, New England SeaWolves, New Jersey Red Dogs/Gladiators, Colorado Crush, Buffalo Destroyers and Carolina Cobras. His 12 career forced fumbles ranks fourth in AFL history.

After retirement Moore decided his future was in coaching and he went to the ArenaBowl last year to determine his options. There he met Neil Smith and Porter and forged a relationship that led to his first job.

"I'm excited about a new challenge in my football career," Moore said. "I have a lot of knowledge to give back and I think I can help and teach both the young guys and veterans. I played against most of these guys and played with Cyron [Brown], and I know about BJ [Cohen] and Bryan [Henderson], so I'm excited to see what we can do."

Selected by the New York Giants in the 10th round of the 1990 NFL Draft, Moore spent time in the training camps of the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints. He played with the Birmingham Fire of the World League in 1991 and 1992, where he was a teammate of AFL lineman Tony Bowick.

Moore starred at defensive tackle for Clemson University from 1986-1989. He did not miss a game during college, compiling 113 tackles and nine sacks in leading the Tigers to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and four major bowl victories. His senior season Moore was named team captain and was an all-ACC selection.

The Brigade did not renew the contracts of Robert Smith (Director of Player Personnel), Webbie Burnett (Offensive/Defensive Line Coach), and Rod Miller (Special Teams Coach). Tres Sullivan, who served last season as the team's offensive coordinator, has moved into the player personnel position.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 20, 2006


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