PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Days after the Super Bowl, professional football is back Saturday afternoon with the return of the XFL. It’s rebranded with long-time NFL executive Doug Whaley as vice president, not to be outdone by backing from ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson.
If you still have that itch and aren’t ready to end your football watching, a number of local connections, at least one on every XFL roster. The first game is Saturday afternoon at 3p with the Vegas Vipers at the Arlington Renegades with the Vipers coached by Hall of Famer Rod Woodson with defensive assistants Darren Perry and Ray Sherman. The Renegades are coached by Youngstown native Bob Stoops, Jonathan Hayes is the co-offensive coordinator and Jay Hayes and Tim Lewis are the co-defensive coordinators.
Unlike the last iteration of the league, this one has some more recognizable players including receivers Martavis Bryant and Josh Gordon, ACC QB’s Eric Dungey and D’Eriq King. Hines Ward, Jim Haslett, Bruce Gradkowski and Joey Porter are coaches. Here is a look at the local connections and a few other people of interest with each XFL roster.
Arlington Renegades
· Head Coach-Bob Stoops
· Co-Offensive Coordinator-Jonathan Hayes
· Co-Defensive Coordinator-Jay Hayes
· Co-Defensive Coordinator-Tim Lewis
· Will Clarke-DL-WVU
· Doug Costin-DL-Steelers practice squad
· Shakur Brown-DB-Steelers try out
DC Defenders
· Defensive Coordinator-Gregg Williams-of Bountygate fame
· ACC quarterbacks-Eric Dungey, D’Eriq King
· Josh Malone-WR-Steelers practice squad
Houston Roughnecks
· Head Coach Wade Phillips-long-time NFL coordinator and head coach
· Kaleb Eleby-QB-Western Michigan
· Garrett Owens-TE-Duquesne
· Brian Khoury-LS-Carnegie-Mellon
· Sean Davis-S-Steelers 2nd round pick in 2016
Orlando Guardians
· Paxton Lynch-QB-Steelers
· Eli Rogers-WR-Steelers
· Tegray Scales-LB-Steelers
San Antonio Brahmas
· Head Coach-Hines Ward
· Linebackers Coach-Joey Porter
· Ryan Lewis-DB-Pitt
· Rex Sunahara-LS-WVU
Seattle Sea Dragons
· Head Coach-Jim Haslett
· Defensive Coordinator-Ron Zook-former Steelers special teams coach
· Ben DiNucci-QB-Pitt
· Josh Gordon-WR-NFL Pro Bowler
· Treyvon Hester-DL-Penn Hills HS
· Tuzar Skipper-LB-Steelers
· Linden Stephens-DB-Steelers
St. Louis Battlehawks
· Head Coach-Anthony Becht-WVU
· Offensive Coordinator-Bruce Gradkowski-Steelers
· AJ McCarron-QB-former Bengals back-up
· Mataeo Durant-RB-Steelers tryout
· George Campbell-WR-WVU
· Gary Jennings-WR-WVU
· Steven Gonzalez-OL-PSU
· Jaryd Jones-Smith-OL-Pitt
Vegas Vipers
· Head Coach-Rod Woodson
· Wide Receivers Coach-Ray Sherman-Steelers
· Defensive Backs Coach-Darren Perry-Steelers
· John Lovett-RB-PSU
· Martavis Bryant-WR-Steelers
· Cinque Sweeting-WR-Slippery Rock
There may be others especially as the season continues or maybe some favorites you’ve seen play in college. The XFL season runs through May 13.