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Gregory Fills Out Barnstormers Coaching Staff

January 15, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES -- Iowa Barnstormers President Jeff Lamberti today announced that an experienced and familiar group of coaches will be assisting Head Coach John Gregory when the arena football Barnstormers take the field next spring.

The team said that Gregory's assistants for the 2008 season will be JT Smith, Carlos James, Ryan Sloth, and Casey Shelton

"All of these men possess a passion and knowledge for arena football and are already playing a key role in molding the Barnstormers into a winner." Gregory said, noting that his staff has been actively scouting and recruiting players across the country in preparation for the start of March's training camp.

JT Smith returns to the Barnstormers' sidelines as Gregory's Assistant Head Coach. Smith, who was an assistant with the Barnstormers in the 1990s, will be responsible for co-coordinating the Barnstormers' defensive unit. In additional to a substantial arena league coaching resume, Smith enjoyed a 13-season NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals. Smith was selected to two Pro Bowls and his playing career was highlighted by the 1987 season, when he led the NFL in both receptions (91) and yardage (1,117) as a member of the Phoenix Cardinals.

Carlos James is a name known to football fans across Iowa. James starred as an all-Big Ten defense back for the University of Iowa before becoming an original member of the AFL Iowa Barnstormers and enjoying an eight-year career as an AFL player. James, a fan favorite nicknamed "The Assassin" for his aggressive style of play, will coach the receivers and assist the special teams.

Iowa State Cyclone fans will recognize the name Ryan Sloth. Ryan, who played defensive back under Dan McCarney at Iowa State from 1996 to 2000, also comes to the Barnstormers with significant arena football experience as both a player and a coach. Sloth, a native of Belmond, Iowa, will co-coordinate the defense and coach the secondary and special teams.

Lastly, Casey Shelton, a West Des Moines native who also played under Coach McCarney as an offensive lineman at Iowa State, will be a volunteer coach assisting with the offensive and defensive lines.



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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.

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