Soul Name Ernesto Purnsley Defensive Coordinator
December 29, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (December 29, 2010) - The Philadelphia Soul today announced longtime Arena Football League coaching veteran, Ernesto Purnsley, as the team's defensive coordinator. Purnsley will also serve as the team's assistant head coach.
"Netto" Purnsley, who enters his 12th season in the AFL, coached with the Utah Blaze and Chicago Rush in 2010 and spent the previous five years as the defensive coordinator for the Colorado Crush (2004-08) where helped capture the ArenaBowl XIX title in 2005. Prior to his time in Colorado, he had two stints with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds. During his tenure in Colorado, his defense established team records for sacks, interceptions and scoring defense.
"With the addition of Coach Purnsley, we will be one of the most experienced staffs in Arena Football," said Soul head coach Mike Hohensee. "Netto is regarded as one of the most innovative defensive minds in the AFL. His defenses' are known to be amongst the most physical and well-prepared in the league."
Purnsley began his career in the AFL in 1997 when he was hired as the special teams and fullback/linebackers coach for the Albany Firebirds. After two seasons (1997-98) with Albany, he spent two years at Murray State before returning to the Firebirds for three seasons (2000-03).
Prior to coaching in the AFL, Purnsley began his collegiate coaching career at Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, where he served as the wide receivers and defensive backs coach for two years (1992-93). The following two years (1994-96) he coached the cornerbacks and tight ends at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.
Collegiately, Purnsley was a four-year starter at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. (1986-89). He began his career as a quarterback prior to moving to a wide receiver as a junior. His senior year he was named First Team All-South Atlantic Conference. Purnsley graduated with his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1990.
Arena Football League Stories from December 29, 2010
- Soul Name Ernesto Purnsley Defensive Coordinator - Philadelphia Soul
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