Tony Dungy as the first signed Coach is a huge early win for the AAF.
Tony Dungy Named First AAF Coach
April 1, 2015
Birmingham, AL - It may be April Fools Day for the country, but the AAF wasn't about the jokes. The league made a huge splash with the acquisition of their first Head Coach, Tony Dungy. Tony Dungy will serve as the Head Coach for the Birmingham Iron. He was introduced by old friend and current AAF Director of Football Operations, Bill Polian and Legendary Field Exhibitions LLC.
“Let me introduce you to someone I'm very familiar with. This man you're all very familiar with. I'm very pleased to announce Tony Dungy as the Head Coach of our Birmingham franchise.”
Tony Dungy
This will be Dungy's first return to coaching since he retired from the NFL's Indianapolis Colts in 2008. Dungy was the first black Head Coach to win the Super Bowl in the NFL. Most recently, Dungy has served as an analyst on NBC's Football Night in America which is a job he will continue to do.
“This is an opportunity for me to get back into coaching without taking me away from my family. I love teaching football. This league will allow me to do that again without the pressure the NFL puts on their coaches.”
Birmingham Iron
Joining Dungy in Birmingham will be Tom Moore as the Offensive Coordinator and Gunther Cunningham as the Defensive Coordinator. Moore was Dungy's Offensive Coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts. Moore was currently serving as an offensive consultant for the Arizona Cardinals. Cunningham was a former Head Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Defensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Raiders, Detroit Lions and Chiefs. Cunningham was currently serving as a defensive consultant for the Detroit Lions.
Also joining Dungy in Birmingham is AAF's Director of Football Operations, Bill Polian who will serve as the General Manager. Former Indianapolis Colt Linebacker, Cato June was named as the Linebackers Coach, former Eagles' Center Hank Fraley was named as the Offensive Line Coach, and former Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback Byron Leftwich as the Quarterbacks Coach.
The Iron will be playing their home games at Legion Field, in Birmingham, Alabama.