Diesel Add Players and Coaches
Published on May 9, 2003 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tri-City Diesel News Release
The Tri-City Diesel signed five new players and two new coaches to their staff this week. Two of the players, Marrial Shields and Tawan Temple come to the Diesel in a trade with the Lacrosse Night Train, Marshal Byrd, Chris Blair and Glen Ili also joined the roster. Mike Brown and Rob Thomas will be assuming coaching positions for the Diesel for the remainder of the season.
Shields, a 6'1", 205 lb. quarterback, started 11 games for the Lacrosse Night train last season but ended up being backup this year.
"He will add experience as starter in league and has good accuracy both long and short," head coach Leland Skeen said. "He will be like another running back out there and hopefully can make things happen in key situations, I think he brings a lot to the table.
Temple, 6'1", 250 lbs., should help fill some holes on the defensive side stepping in at the mike linebacker or defensive end position. He also played with Lacrosse last season and has played in the CFL.
"The thing that interested me about Tawan was the hustle and determination and the type of play that he has shown," Skeen said.
Byrd, a 6'0", 210 lb. defensive back/wide receiver, comes to the Diesel having played for the Sioux City Bandits and the A2 Albany Firebirds. Byrd is a graduate of Wayne State College and has five years of professional football experience.
"He (Byrd) has experience playing in the league and hopefully he can find a spot on our roster on either side of the ball," said Skeen.
Blair is a 6'3", 290 lb. offensive lineman who played for the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
"I'm very pleased to get Chris in here, he should have an immediate positive impact on our offensive line," said Skeen. (page 1 of 2)
Ili is listed as a 6'1", 285 lb. fullback/defensive lineman and is from Los Angeles. He played college football at New Mexico Highlands and last played for the A2 Bakersfield Blitz.
Mike Brown, a defensive assistant, worked with defensive unit for Lacrosse Night Train and then served as interim head coach for half of the season last year and was the head coach and offensive coordinator for Lacrosse for the first part of this season.
"I feel coach brown will bring plenty of fresh ideas to motivate players and provide the spark we need," Skeen said.
Rob Thomas will work with the Diesel's offense, he was last year's offensive coordinator for the Diesel before moving to Utah for a high school coaching/teaching position. He will start with the Diesel at the end of the school year around May 22nd.
The Diesel take a two game road trip to play the Wyoming Calvary and the Omaha Beef and then return home again to play the Bismarck Rough Riders on Saturday, May 24th. Tickets and information may be picked up at the Tri-City Arena box office or by calling (308) 338-8011.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 9, 2003
- Diesel Add Players and Coaches - Tri-City Diesel
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