Sometimes new arena football franchises make head-scratching moves; sometimes the lack of experience really shows in their early moves, but this move, as most can agree, is the exact opposite! In a move that took most aback, the Catfish Hired Joe Powell, an absolute legend of spring and arena football, as their Defensive Coordinator heading into 2027!
If you are new to the sport and just excited to have arena football back in Central Alabama, let this be your introduction to one of the most electric athletes non-fall football has seen, now turned Coach!
Playing Career:
Powell had the kind of playing career that an NFL fan wouldn’t appreciate, but a spring or arena fan knows all too well. After a shortened stint in college football, the six-foot defensive back would go out and make the 2015 Lehigh Valley SteelHawks squad; similar to another coach on the Catfish Staff, Derrick Zeigler, he would put it all on the line for an opportunity.
That opportunity would pay off. The SteelHawks roster spot would translate into several higher-level opportunities, including short stints with the NY Giants and Buffalo Bills from 2016-2017 before jumping back into the arena football world. This time with the Atlanta Havoc, then on to the AFL’s Baltimore Brigade.
He would continue to thrive from this point, finding himself on an XFL, UFL, or NAL roster for the remainder of his playing career, even signing and starting for the short-lived AAF’s Birmingham Iron for all seven of their games. There are times when guys give up on their dream of pro football, and there are the Joe Powells of the world, though far and few between.
Joe never stopped pushing, never stopped looking, and never stopped training. The ability to take a hit, physically, mentally, or even to his love for the game, and still keep pushing is the exact reason we believe he will make for a fantastic coach at this level of football.
What He Brings to the Catfish:
As previously mentioned, he brings a nearly unmatched drive. The ability to recognize that same drive in the athletes he brings on to fill out the 2027 Montgomery roster will show through as the season grows nearer, and that much more once we kick off. Though the Catfish aren’t making splash signings (so far), he, Coach Gregory, and Coach Zeigler have the life and coaching experience to mold a group of players into a unit. He also brings name recognition from arena football fans, and those from Alabama who were fans of the Iron. Overall, this is a fantastic hire that makes a difference, not only in games, but in fan fare, and overall culture inside the Catfish organization.
Coaching Staff
If you’re brand new to the Catfish, Arena Ball, or the AAL… here is your chance to catch up on the coaching hires from Montgomery:
Head Coach: Julius Gregory
Player Personnel: Ben McToy
OL/DL: Derrick Zeigler
DC: Joe Powell
Assi. Coach/QCC: Luke Capurso
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