Samuels Solidifies Coaching Staff

Thursday January 21, 2016

 Storm adds Benjamin “Benji” McDowell as assistant line coach

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm is pleased to announce the addition of Benjamin “Benji” McDowell as assistant line coach.

“We are pleased to have Benji joining our coaching staff,” said Storm Head Coach Lawrence Samuels. “He’s a veteran of the Arena Football League and has several years of coaching experience. With Benji joining our staff, we believe that we solidified a reliable and professional coaching staff that can help take the team to the next level.”

McDowell enters his first season with the Storm as the team’s offensive and defensive line coach. The Braselton, GA native brings several years of experience, working in both the professional and collegiate ranks. Most recently, McDowell spent the 2015 season with the University of Georgia as a defensive line intern. While at Georgia he helped implement the defensive coaches’ game plans. McDowell was also a member of the Alabama Hammers (Professional Indoor Football League) coaching staff during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, helping lead the team to the 2013 PIFL Championship.

“It is an exciting opportunity to coach for the Tampa Bay Storm,” said McDowell. “This is one of the most stable, and storied, organizations in the Arena Football League. With the leadership of Mr. Brooks and Coach Samuels, I am happy to be coaching for the Storm and I look forward to what is in store for this upcoming season.”

McDowell began his professional playing career in 2008 with the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the af2, playing under current Storm Assistant Head Coach Dean Cokinos. He would spend three seasons with the Vipers, winning an ArenaCup Championship in 2008. In 2011, McDowell moved on to play for the Georgia Force. He spent two seasons with the Force before joining Cokinos and the Hammers in 2013. McDowell also played for the New Orleans VooDoo in 2015.

McDowell joins a revamped Storm coaching staff that consists of Samuels, Cokinos and Offensive Assistant Coach Shane Stafford.

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