Voting for Screaming Eagles HC to start 8/15

[Nevadanut]

UPDATE: Ron James has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Six coaches are in the running to be the first head coach in Salt Lake Screaming Eagles history, and fans will be able to cast their ballots to send their choices to the next round.

Live interviews will be conducted on August 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each candidate will be given roughly an hour to make their case as to why they are the best option to take the helm of the Screaming Eagles, who will play their first-ever Indoor Football Game in February 2017. The team's inclusion into the Indoor Football League was announced on June 6.

The live interviews will be overseen by fan coach Shawn Liotta, as well as co-founder Ray Austin, a former NFL player.

The Screaming Eagles are an innovative model of professional football which allows fans to vote for nearly every aspect of the team, including which plays to run during a game, via Project FANchise. This is the first time a format as such has been utilized for a professional sports team.

Last week the team revealed their official logo. The official twitter site of the Screaming Eagles is at SLScreamEagles and the official twitter site of ProjectFANchise is FANchise.

After the final six head coaching candidates are narrowed down, there will be another round of voting. Preliminary interviews with each candidate have already been conducted by Liotta and Austin.

Following the interviews on Aug. 14, voting will commence at 4 a.m. (PT) on Aug. 15. Courtesy of Project FANchise and the Screaming Eagles, below are general summaries of each of the final six candidates, as well as the preliminary interview with each, via Project FANchise's youtube channel.

Fans wishing to vote for their choice should click on the Project FANchise facebook page.

The head coaching candidate summaries:


William McCarthy

Live Interview Time: 11 p.m.
William McCarthy is a veteran IFL coach who embraces the fan-run model of FANchise. He has a decade of coaching experience at the college and pro levels.
Pros: Head coaching experience; understands and likes the concept of a fan-run team; knows the game and has been involved for several years; enjoys fan interaction; has been involved with successful and volatile organizations.
Cons: Wants to be a part of hiring assistant coaches; struggled to win consistently in his previous IFL head coaching positions.
Experience: Monroe College (special teams coordinator, LB coach and recruiting coordinator (2013-15); Les Cougars - France (head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, 2012-13); Everett Raptors (defensive coordinator and front office, 2011-12); Bricktown Brawlers (head coach, special teams coordinator and front office, 2010-11); Kent Predators (head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, 2010); El Paso Generals (offensive line, coach, defensive coach and special teams coordinator, 2008-09); Mercyhurst College (defensive line coach and recruiting assistant, 2008-09); Mississippi Mudcats (head coach, defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, 2008); Vermillion Community College (co-offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, 2007); Hutchinson Community College (RB coach and academic coordinator).




Jose Jefferson

Live Interview Time: 11 a.m.
Jose Jefferson is a veteran coach with over a decade of Indoor Football League experience. He is a two-time league coach of the year and has been coordinator of explosive offensive units.
Pros: Two coach of the year honors; four division championships; founded, owns and operates College Gridiron Showcase; willing to move and be mobile; understands and accepts technology and fans calling plays; has a direct pool of players.
Cons: Past legal issues.
Experience: College Gridiron Showcase (executive director/founder, 2014-present); La Crosse Spartans (offensive coordinator, 2010-2011); University of Wisconsin at La Crosse (associated head coach, RB coach and recruiting coordinator, 2009-12); Lincoln High School - Nebraska (head varsity football coach, 2005-07); Sioux City Bandits (head coach and offensive coordinator, 2004-06); Nebraska Wesleyan University (RB coach, 1999-2004); Lincoln Lightning (head coach, offensive coordinator and director of football operations, 1999-04); Omaha Westside High School - Nebraska (varsity WR coach); 1993-96); Iowa Barnstormers (player, 1995-97); Arizona Rattlers (player, 1993-94).




Ameer Ishmail

Live Interview Time: 12 p.m.
Ameer Ismail is a young, energetic coach who has led some of the top defensive units in the IFL the past several seasons. He helped the Spokane Empire reach the United Bowl in 2016.
Pros: Energetic; successful as an IFL coach and player; defensive unit aided the Spokane Empire reach 2016 United Bowl; adept at developing players; has served as a strength and conditioning coach.
Cons: no experience as a head football coach; limited overall coaching experience.
Experience: Spokane Empire (defensive coordinator and head strength/conditioning coach, 2016); Tri-Cities Fever (defensive coordinator and head strength/conditioning coach, 2015); Soccer Zone Indoor Sports Complex (league manager, 2014-15); Elite Fitness (owner and exercise physiologist, 2014-present); Titans (defensive coordinator and player personnel, 2013-15); Bloomington Edge/Slaughter (linebacker, 2012-13); Jacksonville Jaguars - NFL (training camp player, 2013); Chicago Slaughter (assistant GM, 2013); Kansas City Chiefs - NFL (linebacker, 2007); Disney Wide World of Sports (trained with coach Tom Shaw, 2007).




Ron James - Coaching Candidate has withdrawn from consideration

Live Interview Time: 1 p.m.
Ron James is veteran indoor league coach with over 19 years of professional experience. His most recent experience is as head coach and general manager of the Portland Steel of the Arena Football League. He is the former head coach and president of the Utah Blaze and was was named the AFL Coach of the Year in 2012.
Pros: Current AFL head coach; 30 years as coach with 19 in AFL; lives in Utah; locally known; proven winner and turnaround artist.
Cons: Could be currently working another contract; could have trouble adjusting to IFL rules; Portland Steel struggled this season.
Experience: Portland Steel (head coach and GM, 2016); Cleveland Gladiators (assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, 2015); Pittsburgh Power (head coach, 2014); Utah Blaze (head coach, 2010-13); Las Vegas Gladiators (head coach, 2005-06); Houston Thunderbirds (offensive line coach, 1999-2001); Army - West Point (assistant coach, 1998-99); Kentucky Wesleyan College (assistant coach, 1993-97); Hartwick College (assistant coach, 1992-93); Albany Firebirds (assistant coach, 1990-91); St. Lawrence University (assistant coach, 1989-91); Siena College (offensive line coach, 1986).




Alvance Robinson

Live Interview Time: 2:00 p.m.
Alvance Robinson is a former star receiver of the Utah Blaze, Portland Thunder and other Arena Football League teams. He is a Utah fan favorite looking for opportunity to make his mark in Salt Lake City as a coach.
Pros: Intrigued by the innovation of a fan-run team; played in the AFL/AFL2; Familiar with the Salt Lake City area; will have ability to recruit players locally.
Cons: Wants to bring in his own people; lack of indoor/arena coaching experience.
Experience: Marietta College (assistant coach, 2015-present); Portland Thunder (WR/KR, 2014-15); NFL Films (assistant, 2013-14); Philadelphia Soul (WR/KR, 2013-14); Utah Blaze (WR/KR, 2011-12); Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs (WR/KR, 2010-11); South Georgia Wildcats (WR/KR, 2009-2010); Grand Rapids Rampage (WR/KR, 2009-10); Lubbock Renegades (WR/KR, 2007-08); Saskatchewan Roughriders - CFL, (WR/KR, 2007-08); Minnesota Vikings - NFL (WR/KR private workout, 2005-06); Atlanta Falcons - NFL (WR/KR private workout, 2005-06); Cincinnati Bengals - NFL (WR/KR private workout, 2005-06).




Brian Schmidt

Live Interview Time: 3:00 p.m.
Brian Schmidt has over two decades of coaching experience, including 10 years as coordinator or head coach. He embraces technology and was offensive coordinator for the Tri-Cities Fever in 2016.
Pros: IFL offensive and defensive coordinator experience; CIFL championship; organized and task-oriented; background in technology.
Cons: limited head coaching experience; lack of longevity in coaching stops.
Experience: Wichita Falls Nighthawks (offensive quality control and front office, 2016-present); Tri-Cities Fever (offensive coordinator and director of communications, 2015-16); Iowa Barnstormers (defensive coordinator, 2015); Erie Explosion (offensive quality control, 2014-15); Northern Kentucky River Monsters (head coach and director of football operations, 2011-12, 2014); Owenbsboro Rage (offensive coordinator, 2013); Marion Mayhem (co-offensive coordinator and QB coach, 2009-10).




- HMB

Photos - Top, from left: William McCarthy, Jose Jefferson, Ameel Ishmail. Bottom, from left: Ron James, Alvance Robinson, Brian Schmidt.

Note: Information for this page is courtesy of Project FANchise and its youtube channel.


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[Nevadanut]

My Quick Take - William McCarthy

William McCarthy is dressed in a suit and tie. That respect for the process impresses me. Looks like a lumberjack, but is extremely knowledgeable in play calling. When asked about his two-point conversion play, asked whether the end zone was rounded or square. Excellent question. He uses diagrams which are a bit confusing. He likes having "fan assistant coaches" because they give him more scouting power. "If it works, I'm good with it." Wants players to buy into the system, which will curtail locker room issues. Does not support micromanagement (per his father). Wants to set the tone for how fans control teams in the future.

[Nevadanut]

My Quick Take - Jose Jefferson

Has a specific practice agenda, including shot-yardage work. Coaches in several play scenarios (third and four, et al), He has several innovative wide receiver routes. Common goal is to win. Feels he has to earned respect. Wants team to be together, maybe in a non-football environment, night before a game. " Wants to build a winner and be a mainstay in the community.

[Nevadanut]

My Quick Take - Ameer Ishmail

Knowledgeable with defensive schemes while training defenders. Trains a defense to read a QB's eyes to decide how to defend the play. Wants to make the opposing QB to make a perfect pass. Defensive oriented. He knows the difference between IFL and AFL coaching.  Has tremendous knowledge of defensive schemes. Has some offensive plays which rely on a productive running back. Wants mutual trust with fans.

[David]

I really like that they're listing the pros/cons for each coach. Helps give the fans a more informed look at the coaches, rather than just look at what their success has been and make them decide from there.

I noticed a couple of things about Jose Jefferson that were not mentioned. He was originally the head coach of the now-defunct Minnesota Havok last fall, but was dismissed in December because he didn't have the "same vision in mind as the organization." Should be worth noting that a month later, the Havok folded.

Jefferson was also the head coach of the Green Bay Blizzard in the team's inaugural season 2003. This was when Green Bay were still members of the af2. The Blizzard went 2-14 and he was replaced the following season.

[Nevadanut]

My Quick Take - Alvance Robinson

Has a detailed practice schedule on all three sides of the ball, as well as strength and conditioning. Has a specific design for a end of game scoring play. Understands technical play designs.Wants combination of vets and rookies. No pre-conceived notions of fan-based play calling; has never been a head coach, so any way of the format would be new. He is thankful for the opportunity.

[Nevadanut]

My Quick Take - Brian Schmidt

Good X's and O's coach. Wants the team to be prepared. Walk though before practice as players are beginning to look at the next opponent. Believes in accountability. He is excited for the potential of Project FANChise. Believes all fans "are in this together." He refuses to give up.