Darnell Lee to Coach Wild
September 27, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Alaska Wild News Release
As promised the Wild is full of surprises this season. First, we received a new owner, Charles Matthews. Then we lowered our ticket prices making it more economical for families and individuals to come watch the exciting action we have planned for this season. Now our most recent news has to be one of the biggest announcements since Alaska Wild came into fruition. We are pleased to announce Darnell Lee, formally of the Louisiana Swashbucklers is now our Head Coach. We are so very excited and proud to have him become apart of the Alaska Wild Family.
Coach Darnell Lee comes to us from a background of many successes! As a four year head coach, he holds a 50-9 record currently at the professional level of indoor football, which brought him three league titles. Not only did he bring home three championships to the Swashbucklers, but he was named Intense Football League Coach of the Year in 2007, and 2008. In 2009 he was named Coach of the Year in the Southern Indoor Football League.
He played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998 with the Louisiana Bayou Beast. Coach Lee won the title with that team as a rookie playing free safety. His career continued with the National Indoor Football League for seven years; where he played for the Lake Charles Landsharks in that league from 2001-2005.
He graduated from McNeese State University with a BA in General Studies and a Concentration in Behavioral Science. During his college career he played strong safety for the Cowboys. Coach Lee's senior of college he played in 1AA National Championship, where he lost 10-9 to Youngston State, coached by Ohio States Jim Tressel.
Darnell Lee was born in East Baton Rouge, LA, and then moved Gonzales, LA. He now resides in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Coach Lee has been married since 1998 to his wife Danyail Lee. They have two children, their daughter Jade who is 9 and their son Jaylon who is 4. Jade is not in any sports, but she is very athletic. Jaylon is a football fanatic, like father like son!
Currently Darnell Lee is the offensive coordinator at Washington-Marion High School, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He encourages his players from the Swashbucklers to get involved in coaching at that level. It helps them to understand both sides of the ball, and builds their passion for the game. He's helped players such as Bryant Mason, Freddie Harrison, Damien Huren, and Eddie White get coaching jobs at the high school level in Louisiana. It's no wonder he has had a three time champion team.
When Coach Lee was asked the question, why the Alaska Wild? He responded with, "I love to fish, and I remember the first time I came to Alaska. I saw this huge Halibut at the airport, that made me want to come back, but what really got me interested in the Wild was the atmosphere of the game and the genuine spirit in Alaska. The game we played where we won at the last second was amazing. The support of the Wild fans was very heartwarming. I feel that Alaska is a place for opportunities that your mind can truly be free and focused. I felt comfortable oddly enough."
"My plans for the Wild are to bring Alaska a championship. It's much deserved by the not only the players, but the fans and supporters as well. I seen the guys fight so hard, and the fans support to the end, Alaska's time is here! I'm on a mission and I mean business. Alaska, are you ready for that championship," stated Coach Lee.
The Alaska Wild is proud to have such a coach and excited to show what Alaska has to offer. It's our time, so fans & supporters we ask that you STAND PROUD! GET LOUD! AND GO WILD!
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Indoor Football League Stories from September 27, 2009
- Darnell Lee to Coach Wild - Alaska Wild
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