1961 Coaching Changes

1961 Coaching Changes 

Indiana Victors
The Victors decided to change things up at the top by letting go of GM Jacob Harrell. To replace him, Owner Sammy Kirkdale brought on a friend of his in Everett Henderson. Henderson has been mainly involved in baseball, but had shifted to football in recent years and was working in the GLFL for the Cincinnati Centurions. Henderson was super excited to be able to be involved with his hometown team and promises to do his best to turn the team around.  

Long Island Raiders
It has been a rocky battle for the Raiders offence over the last few seasons, while the run-game has been great with RB Dareion Fields and RB Johnnie Stafford, QB Lyle Painter and the pass-game has not been quite as stellar. This brought on the firing of longtime offensive coordinator Richard Thorne. The Raiders brought on Levi Bray, a coach from the New Jersey Chargers of the ACFL. Bray was moving up the ranks in NJ, but felt stuck and decided to move onto Long Island. 

Providence Gold Stars
Probably the biggest shock in terms of coaching changes was the Gold Stars letting go of DC Jerome Morris after only one season and then hiring DC Urick Wilkins of the Blue Wings to replace him. Wilkins has been the DC in Buffalo since 1956, helping the team win a title in 1957. Wilkins decided he wanted a change of scenery and decided to give Providence a chance next to HC Harry Meadows.  

Worcester Athletics
The Athletics would make the change up at DC, however, it wasn’t their choice with DC George Mitchell stepping down from his role with the team. Worcester would continue to make a hire out of West Mass State, bringing in Phillip Little as the new DC. Little is fairly young for most coaches but he always wanted to make it to pro and left his head coaching job.  

Buffalo Blue Wings
With Wilkins leaving the Blue Wings would end up bringing in George Mitchell from the Athletics for the DC role. Mitchell has some decent experience in the NAAF now, but they were also with the Hartford Hawks and the Worcester Athletics. Mitchell has shown some improvement in the last year specifically helping Worcester to the playoffs with a barebones defence.