FireAnts Announce Coaching Staff

Published on February 10, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tupelo FireAnts News Release


TUPELO, MS--The Tupelo FireAnts are pleased to announce the coaching staff for the 2004 season.

In addition to Head Coach Bobby Hall leading the charge, he has appointed Bill Thomas as the 'Ants defensive coordinator, Justin Hollis as the offensive line coach, Will Hall as the offensive coordinator, Rob Barnes as the strength and conditioning coach/equipment manager, and Keith Cumberland as the FireAnts athletic trainer.

"I am very excited about the staff we have put together for the 2004 season," Head Coach Bobby Hall said. "All of these guys have a great passion for the game, and for working with young people. It is imperative that the Head Coach surround himself with good people, and I am confident we have done just that."

Bill Thomas is a graduate of Mississippi State University and spent two years as a member of the Buffalo Bills Scouting Department/Training Camps from 1984-1986. His coaching journey has taken him all over the state of Mississippi, serving as a member of many high school coaching staffs over the last 16 years, including stints at Amory High School, West Point High School, Pascagoula High School, George County High School, Moss Point High School, and Itawamba Agricultural High School.

In addition to his experience at the high school and professional levels, Coach Thomas was also the defensive line coach for Northeast Mississippi Community College in 1988 and was a graduate assistant at Mississippi State University focusing on running backs, 1989-90.

Most recently Coach Thomas served as the offensive line/linebacker coach for Itawamba AHS during 2002-2003 school year. With the FireAnts, Coach Thomas will focus his energy around the team's defensive efforts.

Also joining the FireAnts coaching staff is offensive line coach Justin Hollis. Hollis attended Northeast Mississippi Community College before graduating from Delta State University. Hollis has worked for Kossuth High School, where he coached the offensive line and defensive tackles along with Itawamba Agricultural High School, where he served as the offensive line and power lifting coach. Hollis is currently pursuing a Master's degree from the University of Mississippi.

Will Hall will serve as the team's offensive coordinator for the 2004 season. Hall, the 2003 Harlon Hill Trophy winner from the University of North Alabama will also hit the turf as the FireAnts quarterback.

Rob Barnes is entering his fourth season with the FireAnts. Barnes serves as the team's strength and conditioning coach as well as equipment manager.

Rounding out the 2004 coaching staff, Keith Cumberland will serve as the team's athletic trainer. Cumberland is the Director of Physical Therapy for Pioneer Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Aberdeen, Mississippi. Cumberland has extensive experience covering high school sports throughout Northeast Mississippi, and is also the coordinator of area high school sports programs in Aberdeen.

The FireAnts will open the 2004 home season on Friday, March 12th at the BancorpSouth Center in Tupelo. Season tickets are still on sale for all seven home games of football action by calling the FireAnts Office at (662) 620-BITE, with prices starting as low as $70 for adults and $42 for children 12 and under/seniors 60 and older.

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National Indoor Football League Stories from February 10, 2004


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