The 2023 XFL is just a week away. Before tuning into any games, getting to know the teams and staff is important. The DC Defenders coaches and staff are just as important as the players on the field. The DC Defenders were a part of the 2020 XFL, and now they get another chance to become a successful franchise. Here is a look at the DC Defenders Coaches and some of their staff.
DC Defenders Coaches
Head Coach: Reggie Barlow
The most important of the DC Defenders coaches is Reggie Barlow, the head coach. Barlow’s full biography can be found here, on the XFL’s website. A brief history about Barlow is that he spent six seasons as the head coach for Virginia State University. In 2017, he was the CIAA Coach of the year, which was the same season the team went undefeated in the regular season.
Before his time with Virginia State, he coached for Alabama State University as the quarterbacks’ coach and even the Head Coach from 2007 to 2014. As a player, Barlow attended Alabama State University as a receiver and return specialist. He then played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Barlow has great credentials to be the head coach and he and the other DC Defenders coaches could lead the team to victory this season.
Offensive Coordinator: Fred Kaiss
Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss has a long history of coaching. This can be important as one of the DC Defenders Coaches. A notable part of Kaiss’ coaching history is that he was once the offensive coordinator for Alabama State, where head coach Reggie Barlow once coached. Kaiss working with a number of different schools of all levels can give him multiple outlooks on how to run the DC Defenders offense.
Wide Receivers Coach: Alvance Robinson
Wide Receivers Coach, Alvance Robinson is a former wide receiver who played at Alabama State University. Robinson’s career as a football player never took off, but this is his chance to be a successful coach. Having the Alabama State history will potentially give him strong chemistry with his fellow DC Defenders coaches.
Tight Ends Coach: Cody Crill
Tight Ends Coach Cody Crill is most known for his time as the Offensive Coordinator for Northwestern State. Crill spent four seasons with Northwestern State, and will now be the Tight Ends Coach for the DC Defenders.
Quarterbacks Coach: Shannon Harris
New DC Defenders Quarterbacks Coach, Shannon Harris, was most recently the offensive coordinator with Virginia State University. Harris has been coaching for many years before his time with Virginia State University, which means he is well qualified to be the Quarterbacks Coach with the DC Defenders. Harris was not with Virginia State in 2017 when they went undefeated.
Offensive Line: Russ Ehrenfeld
DC Defenders Offensive Line Coach, Russ Ehrenfeld was most recently the Offensive Line coach with Tennessee State University. Ehrenfeld has been coaching since the late 90s and has had a primary focus on the offensive line. According to the TSU website, he has also coached a couple of NFL draft picks. This is Ehrenfeld’s chance to begin coaching professional football.
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams
Another one of the DC Defenders coaches is Defensive Coordinator, Gregg Williams. Williams has a long history of coaching in the NFL. His most recent NFL coaching job was with the New York Jets, which did not go too well for him. Williams does have head coaching experience as well as he was the Buffalo Bills’ head coach from 2001 to 2003. His most notable coaching year was as the Defensive Coordinator for the New Orleans Saints when they won the Super Bowl in 2009.
Defensive Line Coach: Jeremy Watkins
Defensive Line Coach, Jeremy Watkins is another coach brought from Virginia State University. Watkins was also the Defensive Line coach at the University. According to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s website, VSU had 44 sacks in the 2021 season. This will be something to look for during the 2023 XFL season with Watkins as the Defensive Line Coach.
Defensive Backs: Vernon Dean
DC Defenders Defensive Backs Coach is Vernon Dean. Dean was once a defensive back in the NFL. Dean spent seven years in the NFL, six with Washington and one with Seattle. Since his final year in the NFL, which was in 1988, Dean spent time coaching.
Dean did spend time in the NFL as a coach as well, working with multiple teams. Dean’s most recent time as a coach was with Virginia State University as the Defensive Back coach. Dean was a part of the 2017 undefeated season for TSU. As one of the DC Defenders coaches, Dean can bring in a lot of experience.
Special Teams/Linebackers: Jamie Sharper
DC Defenders Special Teams and Linebackers coach, Jamie Sharper is another coach with experience playing in the NFL. Sharper spent nine years in the NFL as a linebacker with Baltimore, Houston, and Seattle. Sharper spent time as an assistant linebackers coach with Georgetown University, and now it is his turn to take on the role with the DC Defenders.
Quality Control: Deion Harris
Quality Control coach, Deion Harris is another one of the important DC Defenders coaches and staff members. According to Harris’ Twitter profile, he will also be the Assistant Defensive Lines coach. Harris is a former Virginia State University player, and Graduate Assistant. This will be a great opportunity for Harris to grow as a coach.
Director of Team Operations: Stacie Johnson
One of the DC Defenders coaches and staff members is Stacie Johnson. Johnson will be the director of Team Operations. Johnson’s job will be the main point of contact between the staff and players. She will ensure the team is following all the league policies. Johnson will be behind the scenes, but just as important.
Director of Player Personnel: Von Hutchins
Another important member of the DC Defenders coaches and staff is Von Hutchins. Hutchins will be another behind-the-scenes staff member, but still just as important. Hutchins is most known for his time in the NFL as a defensive back on the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. Having a former player as director of player personnel could be a bonus for the DC Defenders.
Video Manager: Caleb Studivant
The DC Defenders Video Manager is Caleb Studivant. Studivant has experience working with video services for years now. Most recently, Studivant worked with the Cleveland Browns as a Video Assistant.
Equipment Manager: VanDyke Jones
DC Defenders Equipment Manager, VanDyke Jones has worked with other football teams in the past. He was recently with Wofford College as their Equipment manager, and now he will move on to Professional Football with the DC Defenders.
Athletic Trainer: Chris Lasamana
Athletic Trainers are important members of staff, and the XFL website lists Cris Lasamana as the Athletic Trainer for the DC Defenders. Lasamana was most recently with the Maryland Terps as their Senior Associate Athletic Trainer.
Based on the DC Defenders Coaches and Staff members, the team is full of members with a great deal of experience. Barlow has already shown trust in his staff, as he has previously worked with many of them. The Defenders’ first game will be Sunday, February 19th against the Seattle Seadragons. It will be the first time watching the DC Defenders coaches and staff work together.
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