VooDoo Introduce Dean Cokinos as Head Coach, Tab Brandon Rizzuto as General Manager
October 15, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The New Orleans VooDoo opened a new chapter in its history by officially introducing Dean Cokinos as the fifth head coach in the franchise's history and naming Brandon Rizzuto the team's general manager, announced the organization at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
"This is an exciting day for our organization, players, and fans with a proven winner in Dean Cokinos as head coach, and a local general manager and partner in Brandon Rizzuto," said Dan Newman/Doug Harrington, VooDoo owner. "We are committed to not only putting a winning product on the field, but also to winning the Greater New Orleans community and business community. Both these hires exemplify that, and we know that we have a dedicated duo in Dean and Brandon to get this right - both on and off the field."
Cokinos began his coaching career in the AFL with the Nashville Kats, where he served as an Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Director of Personnel from 2005 - 2007. In addition to his duties with the Kats, Cokinos also evaluated all professional arena and indoor league players for the Tennessee Titans of the NFL during his time in Nashville.
After a two-year hiatus from the AFL, Cokinos returned as the Head Coach of the Alabama Vipers. The team relocated to Georgia as the Force in September 2010. During his time in Georgia, Cokinos led the Force to two consecutive playoff berths in 2011 and 2012, which included a trip to the American Conference Finals in 2011.
Between his time in the AFL with the Kats and the Force, Cokinos was Head Coach of the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the Af2 from 2008 - 2009. In his first-year with the Vipers, Cokinos guided the team to the Af2 Championship in epic fashion defeating the Spokane Shock in a thrilling, 56 - 55, overtime victory. The game was voted as the top Af2 game of all-time. Overall, in his three - year term in Alabama, in the AFL and Af2, Cokinos earned 32 wins.
Following the 2012 season, the Force ceased operations and Cokinos returned to Alabama, where he was named Head Coach of the PIFL's Alabama Hammers. The return was an immediate success for Cokinos, as he led Alabama to their first PIFL Championship with a convincing 70 - 44 victory over the Richmond Raiders in the 2013 season.
Cokinos' overall regular season record as a Head Coach is 159-87 and 12-11 in the post season.
During his previous tenure in the AFL, Cokinos served on the six-man AFL Coaches Advisory Board and was proactive in enforcing league rules and policies.
Prior to his arena football coaching tenures, Cokinos coached at the collegiate level serving as an assistant coach at Austin Peay State University, The University of West Alabama and the University of Massachusetts. Cokinos also experienced the game internationally in the German Football League, which served as an NFL Europe developmental league. Cokinos was a Head Coach and General Manager of teams in Munich and Berlin.
Recognized as an expert in player evaluation, development and advancement, Cokinos has promoted numerous players in multiple leagues to higher levels of football during his career.
"Having coached arena football for a larger part of my career, I am grateful for the opportunity to coach the New Orleans VooDoo. The city of New Orleans is a great football town, and having coached against the VooDoo while I was with the Kats and Force, I am well aware of the atmosphere in The Graveyard and am finally happy to have them on my side," said Cokinos. "Our team will be very competitive and we will have a product that New Orleans can identify with and will be proud to support."
Rizzuto is in his 10th year as a sports administrator, with his appointment to the post of General Manager serving as a second tour with the VooDoo. The Metairie, La. native worked for the franchise for two seasons from 2011-12 with his final season in the role of Vice President, and comes back to the VooDoo after working at the University of New Orleans as an Assistant Athletic Director for the past two years.
At UNO, Rizzuto helped increase awareness and revenues in rebuilding the athletic department's image and aiding the school's march back towards NCAA Division I. He is also in his final nine hours of completing his Master's degree at UNO, which will make him a two-time alumnus of the university.
In his first stint with the VooDoo, Rizzuto secured corporate partnerships and hosted the team's weekly television show that aired on Cox 4. He also worked closely with local and national media to assist in coverage of the team. In addition to those duties, Rizzuto recruited all the franchise's interns for all areas of the organization, including marketing, media relations, game day operations, and equipment.
"I cannot express enough my gratitude for the support I have received so far from my family, friends and colleagues in taking this great opportunity," said Rizzuto. "Along with ownership and Coach Cokinos, I look forward to working tirelessly to right this ship and to build and re-build relationships among our fans and business partners. There is a lot of work to be done, and that is the fun part."
Prior to joining the VooDoo in 2010, Rizzuto worked at Nicholls State University for four years from 2006-10. Rizzuto's career in athletics began at Nicholls as the Director of Media Relations at the age of 21, and since has accumulated 10 awards in the field that includes the AFL's 2011 Publication of the Year award for The Graveyard Tombstone game day program.
The New Orleans VooDoo currently have season tickets on sale starting at just $100, and can be purchased by calling 888-277-5526 ext. 109. The AFL season starts in March and runs through July, with the VooDoo having nine home games. Be sure to get your season tickets today!
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Arena Football League Stories from October 15, 2014
- Storm Adds to Receiving Group - Tampa Bay Storm
- VooDoo Introduce Dean Cokinos as Head Coach, Tab Brandon Rizzuto as General Manager - New Orleans VooDoo
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