Gladiators add Gussman and Brown to coaching staff
September 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, NV, Sept. 9, 2004 - The Las Vegas Gladiators today announced that former af2 head coach Gary Gussman and former NFL Pro-Bowl wide receiver Eddie Brown have been added to Ron James' coaching staff for the 2005 season. Gussman will serve as special teams coach and Director of Football Operations while Brown will coach the Gladiators wide receivers. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
"We are very pleased to have these experienced football minds with our organization" Gladiators' head coach Ron James said. "Gary brings a wealth of AFL experience both from a coach's and a player's standpoint and he is a great judge of talent. Eddie brings invaluable knowledge as a receiver in the NFL to our staff and will help to make our productive receiving core even more productive."
Gussman spent last season as the head coach of af2's Rio Grande Valley Dorados. The 38 year-old native of Miami was in his first head coaching position after serving six seasons as an assistant coach within the Arena Football League. He began his coaching career as a Special Teams Coordinator with the Connecticut Coyotes (AFL) in 1995 and then spent four seasons (98-01) with the Houston Thunderbears (AFL) as the Special Teams Coordinator / Player Personnel Director. Gussman spent the 2002 season as Special Teams Coordinator for the Orlando Predators.
Gussman spent four years as a kicker in the Arena Football League, beginning in 1989 with the Denver Dynamite. He earned First Team All-Arena honors following his rookie season with Denver and was a 1990 Second-Team All-Arena member with Albany.
Brown, who went to the Pro Bowl in 1988, spent seven seasons as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. A first round draft choice out of the University of Miami in 1985, Brown was voted Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year following his first season with the Bengals. For his career, Brown caught 363 passes for 6,134 yards and 41 touchdowns. He set a Bengals' single game (216 vs. Pittsburgh) and single season (1,273) receiving-yard records during the 1988 season.
Gladiators' 2005 season seats are on sale now. Fans interested in purchasing Gladiators' season seats can do so by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 9, 2004
- Gladiators add Gussman and Brown to coaching staff - Las Vegas Gladiators
- New Orleans VooDoo announces local tryout camp - New Orleans VooDoo
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
