Venom Shores up Coaching Staff
Published on January 29, 2015 under Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
NASHVILLE-The Nashville Venom of the Professional Indoor Football League have announced their 2015 coaching roaster. Head Coach Billy Back is lining up his coaching staff with hopes to repeat the PIFL championship sweep the Venom made last season.
On offense, Back will continue to serve as the play caller. Leslie Woodard will return as the fullback/strength coach. Former Venom player James Jenkins will trade in his pads for a whistle and serve as the offensive line coach.
"These guys are technique driven," said Back. "Les is our enforcer. If I need something bent, moved and a point driven home to the guys he is the man. He is a great teacher of the proper steps needed to play the fullback position. As an offensive lineman, Jenkins was sound in his techniques. I am sure that will translate for him in coaching."
Rounding out the offensive staff is Tim Medlin, who will return to coach receivers and Cody Ross will serve as an offensive assistant.
"Tim is an extension of me on the practice field," said Back. "He knows what I want taught and how to get it communicated to the players. Believe it or not, he was an athlete back in his day. He's also another coach whose value is just as important off the field as it is on. I can count on him for anything at anytime. He will be coaching the top receivers in the PIFL again. We expect the same outcome as we had last season."
Defense was a strong point for the Venom last season. Led by coordinator Chris Taylor, the unit boasted the stingiest the group in the PIFL. Taylor received a promotion from his offseason job, because of that he will serve as a special defensive assistant this season. That move opened the door for Terrance Quattlebaum to run the defense in 2015. Quattlebaum was somewhat of a jack of all trades last season for the Venom.
Quattlebaum assisted on both offense and defense. He brings eight years of experience in the indoor game between coaching and playing. In 2005, he helped lead the Memphis Xplorers to the AF2 Arena Bowl Championship. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.
Quattlebaum retired in 2008 and went on to coach defensive backs for the Kansas City Commands of the Arena Football League. He now lives in Nashville with his wife Jasmine Quattlebaum and two daughters.
"Coach Q brings the smarts of a player who played in the iron man days of the AFL, back when you could actually make a living playing it," said Back. "He knows the game inside and out. He communicates well with the players and me. He doesn't sugar coat anything to them and that's the way it has to be. Q will have all the pieces of the puzzle to work with on the defensive side of the ball. It's going to be on him to put the defense in the right situations to be successful. I know he will do just that."
Back also is happy that Taylor will be around the team, but in a smaller capacity.
"Chris is one of my good friends. Just having him around in any way is important for us as a team and this staff. His role will be limited but extremely vital."
Joining Quattlebaum on defense will be returning coaches Tramont Lawless. He will engineer the defensive line along with Cromwell Stewart who will once again coach the defensive backs. Stewart is known as a hard worker. He currently coaches defensive backs at Antioch High School. He also serves as the assistant wrestling coach at Antioch. Stewart is also an up and coming fighter on the Mixed Martial Arts circuit.
"The defensive line I feel is the single most important position in arena football," said Back. "Coach Lawless is a vet of the NFL and AFL. His fire and intensity is what you need on the defensive line. I tell people all the time that he has a particular way to motivate even a turtle to sprint. I can count on Crom for anything. A simple call to him and it is done. His work ethic is one that our young men can respect and learn from."
Also returning to the coaching staff is Michael Pointer, video coordinator for the team. Back has pegged Pointer as the best video man in all of football. James Cessna will return as team photographer.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from January 29, 2015
- Venom Shores up Coaching Staff - Nashville Venom
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