Twisters Open Spring Camp with New Defensive Coordinator
March 9, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
(North Little Rock, AR) - The Arkansas Twisters have announced that former NFL Pro Bowl player J. T. Smith will be the new defensive coordinator for the upcoming season.
Smith was the head coach at San Angelo of the Intense Football League where he coached new Twisters players Davon Vinson and Barrett Dallmeyer. Dallmeyer was the league's defensive lineman of the year last season.
The former NFL standout played 13 seasons as a kick returner and receiver for Washington, Kansas City, and the St. Louis/Phoenix franchise. His best season as a receiver came during the '86 and '87 seasons when he logged back to back 1000 yards receiving seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The former North Texas standout first worked with Twisters Head Coach John Gregory when they worked with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League back in the mid-90's. Smith coached under former Twisters defensive coordinator Art Haege while at Iowa.
"I've been associated with Art (Haege) and John (Gregory) for a long time," says Smith.
Smith takes over the defensive coordinator position after former coach Haege suffered an aneurysm and passed away.
Arena football has stayed in the family for Smith, as his son Torrey Prather played with the Twisters and is currently in camp with Laredo of the af2.
The Twisters start spring camp today with player physicals and issuing of equipment. Actual practice starts on Saturday, March 10th with two-a-days at Pulaski Academy High School thru Monday. The team will move into Alltel Arena for practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A complete schedule for two-a-days is listed below along with time and location for media day.
Arkansas kicks off the 2007 season on the road at South Georgia on March 31st.
2007 Arkansas Twisters Spring Practice Schedule
Week One
Date Time Location
March 10 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Pulaski Academy High School*
March 11 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Pulaski Academy High School*
March 12 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Alltel Arena *
March 13 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Alltel Arena
March 13 Media Day 2:30pm Alltel Arena
March 14 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Alltel Arena
March 15 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Pulaski Academy High School
March 16 8am-10am; 1pm-3pm Pulaski Academy High School
* Denotes Practice with No Pads
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