Post by David on Mar 5, 2016 13:16:08 GMT -8
March 5, 2016 -- Fans of the new Portland Steel are about to see a familiar name one the coaching staff.
After firing the entire coaching staff in late January, the newly branded Portland Steel have finally found its replacements.
The Steel announced yesterday that they have made three coaching hires: Will Mulder (defensive coordinator), Ron McBride (offensive line) and Kirk Broussard (wide receivers). The announcements were made by Ron James, the Steel's head coach and general manager. The trio bring 70 years of college and professional football experience to the team.
“We have assembled a strong coaching staff, complete with good teachers of the Arena Football game,” James stated in the team's press release. “It will be my pleasure to coach alongside some of the hardest working, dedicated professionals in the business... I'm excited to see these coaches help our team to reach their fullest potential this season. Their guidance will be an integral part of our process, as we strive bring Portland a great brand of football."
Mulder enters his fourth year as a coach in the Arena Football League, and his second with Portland. He was the then-Thunder's defensive coordinator in the franchise's inaugural season in 2014.
Prior to his coaching career, Mulder's experience in arena football began as a defensive back/kick returner with the af2's Lexington (later Kentucky) Horsemen from 2008-2009. He was standout defensive back and return specialist for the af2’s Lexington Horsemen. Over two seasons, he collected 14 interceptions while returning six kickoffs for touchdowns. In 2009, Mulder earned second-team All-af2 honors with 35 passes defended (2nd in af2), 11 interceptions (3rd) and 209 interception return yards (1st).
In 2010, Mulder moved up to the AFL as a member of the Spokane Shock. He recorded 82 tackles, 19 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions as the Shock would go on to defeat the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XXIII. He would spend the next two seasons with the Utah Blaze, appearing in a total of 16 games and recording 86.5 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 sack.
In 2013, Mulder would re-join the Shock as the team's defensive backs coach. That season, the Shock finished third in the AFL with 31 interceptions, 10 which were returned for touchdowns. He coaching influence was evident, as defensive back Paul Stephens played his most successful season in the AFL, tallying 12 total interceptions, including an AFL record of 5 interceptions in a 69-47 win over the San Jose SaberCats.
In 2014, Mulder was hired as defensive coordinator for the Portland Thunder, joining the staff of former Shock offensive coordinator Matthew Sauk. In his lone season as defensive coordinator with the Thunder, he made stars out of rookie linebacker Bryce Peila and rookie defensive back Varmah Sonie, both of whom contributed to the 4th best pass defense in the AFL, limiting opposing teams to 238.9 yards per game. The Thunder defense would record 31 interceptions that season, ranking 3rd in the AFL behind the Pittsburgh Power (36) and Spokane Shock (32). Mulder would not return to Portland for the 2015 season and ended up returning to Spokane, once again serving as the defensive backs coach.
Broussard joins the Steel with nine years of coaching experience, having spent time at various levels of professional football, most recently spending the 2015 season with the Buffalo Bills as the Offensive Assistant Intern Coach of Tight Ends and Running Backs. He served in a similar position with the Detroit Lions in 2014 and also spent some time with the Minnesota Vikings. Before elevating to the NFL, Broussard has spent several seasons in various arena leagues, including serving as the Director of Player Personnel for the Columbus Lions and as the Offensive Coordinator of the Mississippi Mudcats. Both teams were members of the American Indoor Football league (AIF). Broussard also has experience coaching in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) and the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL).He also served as Wide Receiver Coach with Bluefield College (VIrginia).
Broussard, a native of New Orleans, also has a local presence in the Portland area; he and his family have resided in Lake Oswego and Wilsonville since 2013.
“I am thrilled to be back in Arena Football, I am looking forward to working in a city that I have adopted as a home away from home. I have family here now so It’s going to be great to Coach near them," Broussard said in an interview with CSNNW, "I am also focused on winning a championship with this team. I have wanted a ring my entire coaching career.”
Rounding out the coaching hires is Ron McBride, who brings a long an impressive resume to the Steel as the team's offensive line coach. This upcoming season will be McBride's 56th year of coaching and his second in Arena Football. He was a member of Ron James's staff with the Utah Blaze in 2013, serving as the team's offensive coordinator.
McBride got his start in football as a linebacker with San Jose State University, where he played from 1959-1962. Three years after graduating, he returned to SJS as a defensive assistant. From 1977-1989, he would coach for the University of Utah, University of Wisconsin, and University of Arizona as an offensive assistant/coordinator.
In 1990, McBride was hired as Utah's head coach, inheriting a team that had only 5 winning seasons in 16 years. He brought Utah's football program out of the ashes, beginning with earning a Copper Bowl appearance in 1992, the program's first bowl appearance in 28 years. He would guide the Utes to a total six bowl appearances in his career, going 3-3. His best season came in 1994, guiding the Utes to 10-2 record, the most in school history at that time. They would go on to win the Freedom Bowl and finished #8 in the AP Top 10, their highest AP finish in school history. Utah would also win two conference championships in the Western Athletic Conference (1995) and the Mountain West (1999). At the end of his tenure, he posted an 88-63 record from 1990-2002, the second most wins by a head coach in Utah history.
Three years later, McBride would return as head coach of Weber State University. From 2005-2011, he posted a 43-38 overall record and a two NCAA Division I Playoff Appearances. His best season came in 2008, leading the Wildcats to a 10-4 record and Big Sky Conference Championship.
The Steel begin their 2016 Training Camp on March 9th and will kick off the 2016 regular season at the Moda Center against the Arizona Rattlers on Friday, April 1st at 7 p.m.
- DKH/ANM
Pictured above (l-r): Will Mulder, Kirk Broussard, Ron McBride.
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