Washington Valor Finalize Coaching Staff

Dean Cokinos, head coach of the Washington Valor, finalized his football operations staff today. Benji McDowell, Cos Dematteo, and Steve Thonn will serve as assistant coaches to Cokinos.

“We have been very fortunate to acquire this group of coaches and support staff in our inaugural season,” Cokinos said. “A strong staff is vital to the development of the team, we have a good blend of experienced and young talented professionals on board.” This will be McDowell’s second season in the AFL as a coach. Last season, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Storm.

McDowell has played for the Georgia Force, New Orleans Voodoo, and the Alabama Vipers. He also served as a graduate assistant at Georgia. Dematteo will be the Valor’s player coordinator. He has coached with the Voodoo and the Force. He’s also coached for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Dematteo also played for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europa. Additionally, he played for the Arizona Rattlers, Nashville Kats, and New York Dragons. Thonn will be the Valor’s offensive coordinator. Last season, Thonn was the head coach of the Cleveland Gladiators. He’s also been the head coach for the Grand Rapids Rampage and the Houston Thunderbears, and he’s served as the offensive coordinator for the Force.

Finally, he played for the Chicago Bruisers and the Albany Firebirds. The Valor also filled the vacancies for team doctor, head athletic trainer, equipment manager, operations coordinator and strength and conditioning coach. Washington will kick off their inaugural season against the Baltimore Brigade on April 7.

Jacksonville Sharks Finalize Coaching Staff

The news broke Tuesday afternoon that Jacksonville Sharks head coach Mark Stoute has finalized his coaching staff ahead of the upcoming 2017 season.

Starting with a familiar name, Bob Landsee is returning to the team this season as the offensive consultant. Landsee has a lot of football experience, including earning All-American honors as a center at Wisconsin and getting drafted in 1986 by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Landsee has been coaching in the indoor game since 1999, and has made it to numerous playoffs, including last year. Landsee was on the Sharks’ staff last year, and filled in as interim head coach leading the Sharks to an American Conference Championship game against the Philadelphia Soul.

Joey Smith remained on the staff after being the Sharks’ Defensive Coordinator and Defensive backs in November of last year. Smith and Stoute do have a working history together, the duo worked in the Indoor Football League as coaches for the Cedar Rapids Titans. Smith boasts coaching the No. 1 ranked defense in the IFL in 2016 and his defense pitched only the third shutout in league history in 2015.

BJ Cohen is returning as well this season as the Defensive Line and Linebackers coach. Cohen is entering his fifth year of coaching dating back to 2013 when he was Offensive and Defensive line coach for the New Orleans Voodoo.

Stan Wrubluski joins the Sharks for the 2017 season as the team’s fullbacks and offensive line coach. Wrubluski has worked in almost every single indoor league during his coaching career.

In 2014, he made his coaching debut in the Arena Football League with the Iowa Barnstormers. Since then he has coached with the Orlando Predators, Jacksonville Tomcats in the af2, as well as the Eastern Kentucky Drillers.

 

Soul DB Tracy Belton Named 2016 Arena Football League Defensive Player of the Year

Philadelphia Soul defensive back Tracy Belton has been named the 2016 Arena Football League Defensive Player of the Year. Belton led the league with nine interceptions. He also recorded 80 total tackles and a forced fumble with the Soul.

Belton began his time in the Arena Football League with the Milwaukee Iron in 2010. He set a single-season franchise record with 100.5 tackles that season. Belton would go on to play the next two seasons with the Georgia Force. In 2011, he set a new career high with 101.5 tackles and also five interceptions. In 2012, he recorded 11 interceptions in 11 games. He earned Second Team All-Arena honors that season.

He joined the Jacksonville Sharks in 2013. He made 94.5 tackles and three interceptions with the team. He also joined the Orlando Predators in 2014 and played with the New Orleans Voodoo in 2015.

The Soul will be playing against the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXIX at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ on Friday night. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.