Baltimore Mariners Announce Coaching Staff

[The Grim Reaper]

Baltimore Mariners Announce Coaching Staff
01/14/08 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) Baltimore Mariners


Baltimore, MD ...The Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association is proud to announce their coaching staff for the 2008 season.
Chris Simpson, who has 18 years of coaching and management experience in football including stints in the AFL and the CFL, will begin his first season as Head Coach of the Baltimore Mariners. Coach Simpson has three years of previous indoor football experience as a Head Coach in San Angelo, TX, Lincoln, NE and last year in Baltimore.

Michael Mink will be Baltimore's Offensive Coordinator. Mink was the Head Coach of the Carolina Speed where he led the expansion team to an 8 - 7 and a playoff birth. The Speed lost in the first round to the eventual AIFA Champion Lakeland Thunderbolts. In 2006, Mink took over a struggling franchise in Montgomery, AL and led the team to 5 wins in its last 6 games and a spot in the playoffs. In addition to his coaching duties, Mink is the co-owner, along with John Morris, and COO of the AIFA .

Mike McDowell begins his first season with the Mariners as the team's Defensive Coordinator. McDowell's previous experience was with the AF2's Richmond Speed where he worked with the defense and helped lead the Speed to the AF2 Championship in 2001. McDowell coached the defensive backs last season in Baltimore under Coach Simpson.

Jason Bloom will coordinate the Mariners' Special Teams. Bloom played his college ball at New Mexico State with former Baltimore Ravens Joe Maese. Bloom kicked for Baltimore part of last season.

Marques Ogden will coach the OL for the Mariners. Ogden has five years of NFL playing experience which includes time with the Ravens, Buffalo, Jacksonville and Tennessee. Ogden's previous coaching experience includes the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe and he also coached under Simpson in Baltimore last season.

Bryan Milburn will handle the DL for Baltimore. Milburn begins his first season of coaching professional football. Coach Milburn began his coaching career in Lancaster, CA and is the current owner and Head Coach of the Maryland Sting.

Mike Moyseenko will be the Mariners' WR/RB coach. Moyseenko is a 2007 graduate of Maryland where he played two seasons at quarterback for the Terrapins. Following his playing career, Moyseenko worked as an assistant to the QB and the WR coaches at Maryland.

Jason Blackman will handle the DB/LB duties for the Mariners. Blackman played his college ball at Bowie State and has previous coaching experience with the Washington Chiefs and the DC Explosions of the NAFL.

"We have put together a very solid coaching staff, stated Coach Simpson. I am excited about the opportunity to work with these guys. Each understands the importance of teaching and developing players."

"I'm very impressed with the staff Coach Simpson has put together, added Mariners owner John Morris. They have the ability and professional background to teach these guys so they can get that shot at the next level. That's what the AIFA is all about."

Baltimore opens its 2008 campaign in Reading, PA against the Express on March 8 in front of a nationally televised game.