New Orleans VooDoo Adds Four to Football and Coaching Staff
September 4, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
Fulfilling a priority to find an energetic young coaching staff focused on teaching, New Orleans VooDoo Head Coach Mike Neu announced the hiring of line coach Junior Ili and defensive coordinator Kevin Porter to fill out his first coaching staff. In addition, the VooDoo has also announced the hiring of two key football staffers, equipment manager Eddie Falgout and athletic trainer Reggie Stone.
Ili comes to the VooDoo with a distinguished playing and coaching career in Arena Football. Ili played both on the offensive and defensive line at the University of Colorado from 1981-85. He then embarked on a lengthy eight year career in Arena Football as a lineman, where he built a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors in the league. After starting his career Denver in 1992 and playing in Sacramento in 1993, Ili then moved on to play for the Miami Hooters from 1994-95 and the St. Louis Stampede in 1996. After finishing his career with the Nashville Kats in 1998, Ili was named line coach of the Kats in 1999, where he spent two seasons.
Ili's leadership and teaching abilities made an immediate impact on the Kats as lineman James Baron was a first team AFL lineman in 1999 and a second team performer in 2000. In his first season tutoring the lineman, the Kats rushing offense improved from ninth to fifth in the AFL, while the team allowed a league-low three sacks. The Kats line continued to improve the following season as they improved to the top rushing offense in the league, while allowing only six sacks.
"Having played and coached with Junior, he will bring a solid work ethic and excellent knowledge to our line play," said Neu. "His extensive playing experience and teaching abilities will give our linemen a great resource."
In his first four seasons as a coach in AF2, Porter is the winningest coach in league history with a 45-27 record. Porter, the head coach of the Macon Knights since 2001, took his team to the ArenaCup 2003 championship final game this past season. Starting his Arena coaching career as head coach of the Pensacola Barracudas in 2000, Porter has taken his teams to the playoffs all four seasons. Porter started his coaching career as the defensive backs coach of the AFL Orlando Predators in 1999.
A third round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1988, Porter was a four-year starter at strong safety for the Chiefs, recording 290 tackles, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during his five year NFL career, which he closed out with the New York Giants in 1992. Prior to being drafted by the Chiefs, Porter was a four-year starter at cornerback at Auburn, who was named honorable mention All-America.
"I first observed Kevin in coaching against him when he was in Orlando and later in AF2, when I was the head coach in Augusta," said Neu. "In addition to being an excellent defensive coach, he possesses a great fire and passion for the game. His prior head coaching experience will also be very beneficial to our staff.
Falgout, a New Orleans native, has been a member of the New Orleans Saints equipment staff since 1998. Falgout, who graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School and Tulane University, also served as an assistant on the Green Wave's equipment staff as an undergraduate.
Stone, a native of Vancouver, Wash., has been an member of the Saints training staff since 2002. Stone earned his undergraduate degree with a double major in athletic training and exercise science at Linfield (Ore.) College, where he assisted with the basketball and football programs. Stone then earned his master's degree in health education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2002, serving as a trainer for the men's basketball program. While completing his studies, Stone also completed athletic training internships with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers.
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