Hohensee Announces Coaching Staff for 2013
Monday February 4, 2013
Purnsley & Whiting Set to Return While Moore-Brown Added
DES MOINES, IA – Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Mike Hohensee has announced his coaching staff for the for the upcoming AFL 2013 season. The staff includes two familiar faces to Barnstormers fans along with one newcomer.
Returning for a second season is Defensive Coordinator is Ernesto “Netto” Purnsley. Purnsley has coached in the AFL for 13 seasons, beginning with stops in Albany, Indiana and Colorado. As Defensive Coordinator in Colorado, his defense led the team to 3 division titles and an ArenaBowl XIX Championship in 2005. In 2008, Purnsley joined Hohensee in Chicago as Defensive Coordinator for the Chicago Rush. In 2010, he was named Head Coach of the AFL’s Utah Blaze, however his tenure lasted just one year. Purnsley reunited with Hohensee in Philadelphia for the 2011 season before following him to Iowa in 2012.
Returning for a third season with the Barnstormers is Special Teams Coordinator Trever Whiting. Whiting joined the Barnstormers staff in 2011 under John Gregory and was the only holdover to continue with the club under Hohensee in 2012. Whiting brings a tremendous amount of experience with him, having coached at Central Methodist University, Campbellsville University, Graceland University, and Kansas Wesleyan University. On the pro level he has spent time with the Lincoln Capitols (NIFL) and the Omaha Beef (IFL). In addition to special teams, Whiting will assist Hohensee with the development of the team’s Wide Receivers.
Joining the Barnstormers coaching staff for 2013 is newcomer Kyle Moore-Brown. Moore-Brown will focus on the development of the Barnstormers O offensive and defensive line play. He spent the 2012 season as the Head Coach of the Cedar Rapids Titans (IFL), leading them to a 4-10 record. Moore-Brown has a wealth of experience as a player in the Arena Football League. He spent 15 years playing Center for Albany (1995-2000), Indiana (2001-03) and Colorado (2004-08). He is known as one of the game’s all-time ironmen, having made 236 consecutive starts.
“I couldn’t be any happier with the coaching staff that we have assembled for the 2013 season,” stated Hohensee. “We have a group here that is very experienced, and ready to pass along that knowledge to our young players. I can’t wait to see the results.”
The 2013 Iowa Barnstormers season kicks off this March, with the Barnstormers home opener scheduled for Friday, April 5. Barnstormers season tickets and 5 game Pigskin packages are on sale now. For more information or to order yours today call the Barnstormers at 515.633.2255 or log onto www.theiowabarnstormers.com.
