Horsemen fill out coaching staff
November 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
Lexington, KY, November 18, 2003 â The Lexington Horsemen have filled out their coaching staff for the 2004 season, retaining 2003 Offensive Line coach Gary McPeek and adding Mike Harmon, Troy Hobbs, Don Miller, Chuck Allen, and George Barber to the 2004 staff. This group will join Head Coach Bob Sphire and Defensive Coordinator Mike Zuckerman on the Horsemen sideline for the upcoming season.
"I couldn't be happier with the staff we've put together," said Sphire. "This is a group of talented, dedicated coaches who know Kentucky football inside and out, and will help us bring an exciting and successful team to Rupp in 2004. I'm looking forward to getting on the practice field with these guys."
Offensive Line Coach Gary McPeek returns for his second season with the Horsemen after helping lead the team to a successful 9-6 record in 2003. Behind a solid line, the Horsemen offense finished third in the NIFL in scoring last season, averaging 53.1 points per game. Currently the head football coach and assistant principal at Lawrence County High School, McPeek has coached at four Kentucky high schools and was named 16th Region Coach of the Year in 2001.
Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach Mike Harmon is currently the head coach at Lafayette High School in Lexington, where he just completed his third season leading the Generals. Lafayette finished the 2003 season with a 9-3 record and their first district title since 1985, earning Harmon Region 4 District 7 Coach of the Year honors. Prior to taking over the head job at Lafayette, Harmon served as an assistant coach at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, where in 1999, he was selected as the special teams/tight ends coach for the Kentucky All-Stars, who defeated Tennessee in their annual game.
Receivers Coach Troy Hobbs has been with the Lexington Catholic football staff for the past eight years, where he currently serves as special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach. Under his leadership, the Knights have produced several all-city, all-district and all-state performers at wide receiver and on special teams. Hobbs played wide receiver at the University of Kentucky under Coach Bill Curry, where he participated in the 1993 Peach Bowl with the Wildcats.
Defensive Assistant Don Miller has been the defensive coordinator at Lexington Dunbar High School since 2001, where he is currently preparing the Bulldogs for their state regional final matchup against Madison Central. In 2002, Dunbar advanced to the state semifinals before being defeated by eventual state champion Louisville Trinity. Miller taught and coached at Franklin County from 1999 to 2001, and served in a number of roles on the University of Kentucky coaching staff, where he got his start as a student strength and conditioning coach under Bill Curry. Miller served in the same role under Hal Mumme, where he also was a student defensive coach as well as junior varsity defensive backs coach.
Offensive Assistant Chuck Allen is currently an assistant coach at Dunbar, where he coaches the linebackers. From 1998 to 2002, Allen served on the coaching staff at Lexington Catholic while pursuing his degree at the University of Kentucky, which he received in spring of 2003. Prior to that, he was an offensive and defensive lineman at Lexington Catholic from 1993 to 1996.
Special Teams Assistant George Barber recently retired from the Fayette County school system after serving for 30 years as a teacher and coach at Bryan Station and Dunbar High Schools. Barber is noted for working with several successful kickers during his tenure in Fayette County, including his son, Colin, who punted and kicked at Lexington Catholic and is currently the starting kicker at Syracuse University.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2004 season, which begins in March; for ticket information, call the Rupp Arena box office at 859-233-3535 or log on to www.rupparena.com.
The Horsemen finished their inaugural season with a 9-6 record and a trip to the playoffs, where they were defeated in the first round by eventual 2003 NIFL Champion Ohio Valley. For more information about the team, please call 859-422-PASS or visit www.lexingtonhorsemen.com.
Arena Football League Stories from November 18, 2003
- Horsemen fill out coaching staff - Kentucky Horsemen
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