Coach Purnsley Talks Steelers & Soul
Published on February 4, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (February 4, 2011)- The Philadelphia Soul sat down with defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Netto Purnsley to discuss his love for the Steelers and his thoughts on the upcoming Soul season.
Purnsley, who will be entering his 12th season with the AFL, has coached with the Utah Blaze, Chicago Rush, Colorado Crush, and Albany/Indiana Firebirds in the past. His greatest achievement so far has been his ArenaBowl XIX Championship win with the Crush (2005), and hopes to bring such success with him to the Soul.
Q: How long have you been a Steelers fan
NP: I've been a Steelers fan since I was a kid, probably around 9 years old.
Q: Do you have any specific Steelers memories from when you were growing up
NP: I have a lot of great memories of the team from when I was young. My main memory is that everyone else in my family was a Cowboys fan, so I was always the oddball rooting for the Steelers.
Q: Which Steeler do you think would do best in the AFL
NP: The Steelers have had a lot of great players and they all play aggressively. I'm pretty sure all of them would play well in the AFL and I would love to have the opportunity to coach them.
Q: In the `70s the Steelers' defense was known as the "Steel Curtain Defense". Did that influence you to become a defensive coordinator/defensive-minded person What aspects of that defense do you want to bring to the Soul
NP: I wouldn't say that their defense influenced me, but I certainly recognize how they played intensely and paid attention to detail. I take some of the positive things they did in the `70s, as well as today, to be successful and will bring that along with me as I coach the Soul.
Q: How are things looking for the Soul this season
NP: Things are looking good for the season. We're excited about training camp starting in two weeks. We have signed a lot of quality players and I'm looking forward to seeing them at camp - to see how they interact, play together, and work as a team.
Q: Do you have any goals for the season
NP: My goal is always to win a championship. Just make it to the playoffs, and then eventually win the ArenaBowl.
Q: What are your predictions for the game on Sunday
NP: Steelers win. It should be a very competitive game. I say Steelers pull ahead by five points.
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- Coach Purnsley Talks Steelers & Soul - Philadelphia Soul
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