Six Former Pittsburgh Power Players and Coach Rejoin in Philadelphia
March 26, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (March 25, 2015) - With one of the strongest Arena Football teams shut down for the 2015 season, the only smart decision for Soul Assistant Coach Derek Stingley and six of his top players was to move across the Keystone State and sign with the Philadelphia Soul. The Soul have had the great pleasure of adding FB Tommy Taggart (6'3, 275, Oklahoma), OL Keith Newell (6'6, 310, Delaware State), WR Shaun Kauleinamoku (5'9, 185, Western Oregon), DL Justin Lawrence (6'2, 290, Morgan State), DB Brandon Freeman (6'2, 205, Massachusetts) and DL Curtis Young (6'1, 270, Cincinnati) to the 2015 Soul roster.
"When I came on as the Defensive Coordinator for the Soul and knew the Power would not be returning for the upcoming season, I knew there would be key players available," said Soul Assistant Coach Derek Stingley. "There were a handful of players who I knew would fit the mold of this organization and I reached out to them personally."
Derek Stingley first joined Pittsburgh as defensive coordinator in 2012 before being promoted to interim head coach 10 games into the 2013 season. General Manager Tom Goodhines and Soul Head Coach Clint Dolezel have had a long relationship with Stingley and when the opportunity of filling the assistant coach position became available, it was a no brainer that Stingley was the man for the job.
"Stingley is well known as one of the best defensive minds in the Arena Football League," said Soul General Manager Tom Goodhines. "Combining these players, along with our returning veterans, Raudabaugh, McDaniel and Romain, we are excited to see what this team is really capable of."
The Philadelphia Soul will travel to Orlando to face the Predators on Sunday, March 29 and then to Spokane to challenge the Shock on Saturday, April 4.
Here's a quick look at each player and their time spent with the Pittsburgh Power.
FB 24 Tommy Taggart- Recorded 67 rushes for 167 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Power in 2014.
DB 6 Brandon Freeman- Recorded 141 total tackles, 10 interceptions for 50 yards in two seasons with the Power in 2013-14
DL 99 Justin Lawrence- Recorded 17.5 tackles and three sacks with the Power in 2014.
OL 72 Keith Newell- Appeared in 14 games with 10 starts along the offensive line as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Power.
WR 21 Shaun Kauleinamoku- Recorded 124 receptions, 1,359 yards and 19 touchdowns with the Power in 2014.
DL 93 Curtis Young- Recorded 25.5 tackles and seven sacks in 18 games played with the Pittsburgh Power in 2014.
Arena Football League Stories from March 26, 2015
- Kicker Shelley Assigned to Rattlers - Arizona Rattlers
- CBS Sports Network Commentator Team Announced for 2015 AFL Season - AFL
- Sharks Announce "Firehouse 55" Promotion - Jacksonville Sharks
- Six Former Pittsburgh Power Players and Coach Rejoin in Philadelphia - Philadelphia Soul
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.
