Post by DiamondThief on Oct 20, 2014 22:22:21 GMT -8
Oct. 20 - The Thunder today announced that they have brought back offensive/defensive line coach Clay Harrell, as well as added two more to front office positions.
"We thought [Harell] did a great job last year with the young talent and we're looking forward to seeing him grow as a coach," head coach Mike Hohensee said.
Harrell began his Arena Football career in 2006 as a member of the af2's Everett Hawks, where he earned All-af2 second-team honors as a defensive lineman. He entered the AFL in 2007 with the Nashville Katz and converted to the offensive line. Harrell started every game at fullback for the Spokane Shock during their 2010 ArenaBowl run and the 2011 season before joining the team as an assistant coach in 2012. He strapped on the pads and played one more season with the Utah Blaze and Cleveland Gladiators in 2013 before getting back under the headset in 2014 with the Thunder.
The team also announced that Ernesto Purnsley as its director of player personnel and Lee Johnson as director of football operations.
Purnsley was Hohensee's defensive coordinator for the last three seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers and brings 17 years of AFL experience into the front office. Prior to uniting with Coach Hohensee in 2010, Purnsley was a head coach for the Utah Blaze and coached the Colorado Crush and Indiana/Albany Firebirds. His defenses in Colorado established team records for sacks, interceptions, and scoring defense.
Ernesto Purnsley has 17 years of Arena Football experience and his expertise is going to go a long way toward helping this franchise reach its potential and help us realize Terry Emmert’s vision," Hohensee said.
Johnson, the former head coach of the San Antonio Talons, began his coaching career in 1997 with the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was a defensive line coach for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe in 2001-02, helping the team win two World Bowl titles. He joined the Arena Football League coaching ranks in 2003, working with the Colorado Crush, Austin Wranglers and Cleveland Gladiators before working with Hohensee for the Peoria Pirates as a line coach. Prior to becoming a coach, Johnson played in the NFL, CFL, and AFL. Part of Johnson's duties will include finding jobs for Thunder players while they are not working on the field.
"We're excited to welcome Lee Johnson to our organization," Thunder president Brian Sandy said. "His 17 years of Arena Football experience will bring invaluable experience to our organization in his role of Director of Football Operations. In addition to that role, he will be in charge of player development, helping players gain valuable job and life skills and working to ensure Thunder players will find success both on and off the field."
"We thought [Harell] did a great job last year with the young talent and we're looking forward to seeing him grow as a coach," head coach Mike Hohensee said.
Harrell began his Arena Football career in 2006 as a member of the af2's Everett Hawks, where he earned All-af2 second-team honors as a defensive lineman. He entered the AFL in 2007 with the Nashville Katz and converted to the offensive line. Harrell started every game at fullback for the Spokane Shock during their 2010 ArenaBowl run and the 2011 season before joining the team as an assistant coach in 2012. He strapped on the pads and played one more season with the Utah Blaze and Cleveland Gladiators in 2013 before getting back under the headset in 2014 with the Thunder.
The team also announced that Ernesto Purnsley as its director of player personnel and Lee Johnson as director of football operations.
Purnsley was Hohensee's defensive coordinator for the last three seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers and brings 17 years of AFL experience into the front office. Prior to uniting with Coach Hohensee in 2010, Purnsley was a head coach for the Utah Blaze and coached the Colorado Crush and Indiana/Albany Firebirds. His defenses in Colorado established team records for sacks, interceptions, and scoring defense.
Ernesto Purnsley has 17 years of Arena Football experience and his expertise is going to go a long way toward helping this franchise reach its potential and help us realize Terry Emmert’s vision," Hohensee said.
Johnson, the former head coach of the San Antonio Talons, began his coaching career in 1997 with the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was a defensive line coach for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe in 2001-02, helping the team win two World Bowl titles. He joined the Arena Football League coaching ranks in 2003, working with the Colorado Crush, Austin Wranglers and Cleveland Gladiators before working with Hohensee for the Peoria Pirates as a line coach. Prior to becoming a coach, Johnson played in the NFL, CFL, and AFL. Part of Johnson's duties will include finding jobs for Thunder players while they are not working on the field.
"We're excited to welcome Lee Johnson to our organization," Thunder president Brian Sandy said. "His 17 years of Arena Football experience will bring invaluable experience to our organization in his role of Director of Football Operations. In addition to that role, he will be in charge of player development, helping players gain valuable job and life skills and working to ensure Thunder players will find success both on and off the field."
