Valor Make Coaching Change
Wednesday May 16, 2018
Benji McDowell named interim head coach
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Valor announced today that Dean Cokinos has been relieved of his head coaching duties. Valor Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach Benji McDowell has been named interim head coach, effective immediately.
“We felt that a change in leadership was necessary to put the Valor in the best possible position to win games,” said Roger Mody, Managing Partner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Arena Football League teams. “Building a team from the ground up is no small feat and we are grateful to Dean for everything he has done for this organization over the last two years and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
McDowell assumes interim head coaching duties in his third season as an AFL coach and his second with the Valor. He spent the 2016 season with the Tampa Bay Storm as the defensive coordinator, line coach and special teams coordinator before joining the Valor. Tampa bolstered one of the top defenses in the AFL under McDowell. The Forest City, NC native has worked in both the professional and collegiate ranks. McDowell spent the 2015 season with the University of Georgia as a defensive line intern and was a member of the Alabama Hammers of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) coaching staff during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, helping lead the team to the 2013 PIFL Championship.
Washington will host the Baltimore Brigade at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Capital One Arena. Single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 202-661-5005 or emailing ticketsales@washvalor.com.