Georgia Force
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League
team based in Gwinnett County
, Georgia
, United States
(part of suburban Atlanta) that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings. They are coached by Dean Cokinos.
Following the termination of operations of the Arena Football League on August 4, 2009, Georgia Force officials quickly followed with a release that indicated that they, too, were ceasing operations.
In 2010, the Alabama Vipers announced they would leave Huntsville, and would move to suburban Atlanta for the 2011 AFL season, once again playing home games at Arena at Gwinnett Center
.
team from 1997
to 2001
. The original Kats played in the Nashville Arena (later known as Gaylord Entertainment Center, now known as Bridgestone Arena) in downtown Nashville and were initially coached by Eddie Khayat in 1997 and 1998. Khayat was then succeeded by Pat Sperduto
for the balance of the team's time in Nashville. The Kats were the league's "Organization of the Year" for their inaugural year of 1997, and were in the playoffs for every season of their relatively brief existence, even playing in the ArenaBowl
each of their final two seasons, albeit losing both times they reached the AFL's championship game.
Virgil Williams, an Atlanta businessman, purchased the franchise for nearly $
10 million in December 2001, and moved the team to Atlanta after the team's previous owners failed to negotiate a favorable lease with the arena's primary tenant and manager, the National Hockey League
's Nashville Predators
. The Kats would return to Nashville
as an expansion team in 2005 (in a situation similar to the National Football League
's Cleveland Browns
). The second Nashville Kats team would fold after a losing 2007 season.
, home of the National Basketball Association
's Atlanta Hawks
and former home of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers
, prior to relocating to suburban Duluth and playing in the Arena at Gwinnett Center
for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
The team name was chosen through a contest in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Anthony R. Ward submitted the winning name.
Under Williams' three-year tenure as owner, the team made the playoffs one time in 2003. Upon selling the team to Atlanta Falcons
owner Arthur Blank
in September 2004, it was announced that the franchise would return to the downtown Philips Arena for the 2005 season in response to fan desires as expressed in a poll
. However, following the 2007 season, the Force announced they were returning to the Gwinnett Center in 2008 after signing a 10 year lease.
The Georgia Force's only Rival in the Arena Football League is the New Orleans VooDoo. Previous owners of both teams, owned NFL teams in the same market. The New Orleans Saints Rivaled with The Atlanta Falcons & The New Orleans VooDoo Rivaled with The Georgia Force.
The 2005 season was, by far, the most successful in team history with highlights including a conference-best 11–5 record, and undefeated home record (8–0), a division title, a National Conference Championship, and a trip to ArenaBowl XIX
. They lost to the Colorado Crush, 51–48.
They also won Southern Division titles in 2007 and 2008.
The Force's official mascot used to be a high-tech runner named G-Force, but was later changed to a blue, cuddly monster named Blu.
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
team based in Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County, Georgia
, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(part of suburban Atlanta) that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings. They are coached by Dean Cokinos.
Following the termination of operations of the Arena Football League on August 4, 2009, Georgia Force officials quickly followed with a release that indicated that they, too, were ceasing operations.
In 2010, the Alabama Vipers announced they would leave Huntsville, and would move to suburban Atlanta for the 2011 AFL season, once again playing home games at Arena at Gwinnett Center
Arena at Gwinnett Center
The Arena at Gwinnett Center is an indoor arena in Duluth, Georgia, United States. The arena was an expansion to the Gwinnett Center, which also includes a performing arts center and a convention center...
.
The original Nashville Kats
The team began as the first Nashville KatsNashville Kats
The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
team from 1997
1997 Arena Football League season
The 1997 Arena Football League season was the 11th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Arizona Rattlers, who defeated the Iowa Barnstormers in ArenaBowl XI.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
to 2001
2001 Arena Football League season
The 2001 Arena Football League season was the 15th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Grand Rapids Rampage, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
. The original Kats played in the Nashville Arena (later known as Gaylord Entertainment Center, now known as Bridgestone Arena) in downtown Nashville and were initially coached by Eddie Khayat in 1997 and 1998. Khayat was then succeeded by Pat Sperduto
Pat Sperduto
Pat Sperduto is an American football coach and executive who was the final head coach of the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League as well as a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
for the balance of the team's time in Nashville. The Kats were the league's "Organization of the Year" for their inaugural year of 1997, and were in the playoffs for every season of their relatively brief existence, even playing in the ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
each of their final two seasons, albeit losing both times they reached the AFL's championship game.
Virgil Williams, an Atlanta businessman, purchased the franchise for nearly $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
10 million in December 2001, and moved the team to Atlanta after the team's previous owners failed to negotiate a favorable lease with the arena's primary tenant and manager, the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The Kats would return to Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
as an expansion team in 2005 (in a situation similar to the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). The second Nashville Kats team would fold after a losing 2007 season.
Georgia Force
The rechristened Force initially played in Atlanta's downtown Philips ArenaPhilips Arena
Philips Arena is an indoor arena in Atlanta, Georgia.Completed in 1999 to replace The Omni, at a cost of $213.5 million, it is home to the Atlanta Hawks, of the National Basketball Association, and the Atlanta Dream, of the Women's National Basketball Association...
, home of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
and former home of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, prior to relocating to suburban Duluth and playing in the Arena at Gwinnett Center
Arena at Gwinnett Center
The Arena at Gwinnett Center is an indoor arena in Duluth, Georgia, United States. The arena was an expansion to the Gwinnett Center, which also includes a performing arts center and a convention center...
for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
The team name was chosen through a contest in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Anthony R. Ward submitted the winning name.
Under Williams' three-year tenure as owner, the team made the playoffs one time in 2003. Upon selling the team to Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
owner Arthur Blank
Arthur Blank
Arthur M. Blank is an American businessman and a co-founder of The Home Depot. Today he is known for his philanthropy and his ownership of the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League.-Early life:...
in September 2004, it was announced that the franchise would return to the downtown Philips Arena for the 2005 season in response to fan desires as expressed in a poll
Opinion poll
An opinion poll, sometimes simply referred to as a poll is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio or within confidence...
. However, following the 2007 season, the Force announced they were returning to the Gwinnett Center in 2008 after signing a 10 year lease.
The Georgia Force's only Rival in the Arena Football League is the New Orleans VooDoo. Previous owners of both teams, owned NFL teams in the same market. The New Orleans Saints Rivaled with The Atlanta Falcons & The New Orleans VooDoo Rivaled with The Georgia Force.
The 2005 season was, by far, the most successful in team history with highlights including a conference-best 11–5 record, and undefeated home record (8–0), a division title, a National Conference Championship, and a trip to ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX was the 2005 championship game of the Arena Football League , and was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first-ever neutral-site title game in AFL history drew 10,822 fans to see the Colorado Crush defeat the Georgia Force 51–48 to claim the Foster ArenaBowl...
. They lost to the Colorado Crush, 51–48.
They also won Southern Division titles in 2007 and 2008.
The Force's official mascot used to be a high-tech runner named G-Force, but was later changed to a blue, cuddly monster named Blu.
Coaches
- Coaches listed are Georgia Force coaches only, NOT for the Nashville Kats.
| Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
Tenure | Regular season record (W–L) |
Post season record (W–L) |
Most recent coaching staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Lyles | 2002 2002 Arena Football League season The 2002 Arena Football League season was the 16th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI... |
1–4 | 0–0 | ||
| Marty Lowe | 2002–2004 2004 Arena Football League season The 2004 Arena Football League season was the 18th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII... |
12–15 | 1–1 | ||
| Bob Kronenberg Bob Kronenberg Robert "Bob" Kronenberg is a former professional American football offensive lineman who played in the Canadian Football League, NFL Europe and the Arena Football League. He is currently a college scout for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.-External links:*... |
2004 | 3–2 | 0–0 | ||
| Doug Plank Doug Plank Douglas Walter Plank is a former American-football safety and coach in the National Football League. Currently, he is the head coach of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League.- Early life :... |
2005 2005 Arena Football League season The 2005 Arena Football League season was the 19th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Colorado Crush, who defeated the Georgia Force in ArenaBowl XIX. The AFL changed its playoff format to allow the top four teams per conference to make the playoffs. Previously, the... –2008 2008 Arena Football League season The 2008 Arena Football League season was the 22nd season of the Arena Football League and final season before the 2009 cancellation. The regular season began play on February 29, 2008 and concluded on June 22... |
43–21 | 4–4 | 2x Arena Football League Coach of the Year (2005, 2007 2007 Georgia Force season The 2007 Georgia Force season is the 6th season for the team in the Arena Football League. They will try to improve upon their 8-8 record from 2006 in the Southern Division, and looking to return to the playoffs. They went 14-2 and have the #2 spot in the AFL playoffs... ) |
|
| Dean Cokinos | 2011 2011 Arena Football League season The 2011 Arena Football League season was the twenty-fourth season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 11, 2011 and ended on July 23, 2011... -present |
11-7 | 1-0 | Asst./Line Coach: James Clark (2011–present) Asst./Line Coach: Juan Porter (2011-present) Asst./DB Coach: Willie Gary Willie Gary (American football) Willie Gary, born November 1, 1978, is an American football defensive back, who has played in the National Football League for the St Louis Rams, in NFL Europa for the Scottish Claymores, and in the Arena Football League for Georgia Force... (2011–present) |
|
Notable players
- Troy Bergeron - OS
- Nate CogginsNate CogginsNate Coggins is a former Arena Football League defensive specialist. He played for the Georgia Force , the Austin Wranglers and is playing the 2008 season with the Columbus Destroyers.-High school years:...
- DS - Markeith Cooper - OS
- Dan Curran - FB
- Kevin GainesKevin GainesKevin Gaines is an Arena Football League Defensive Specialist for the Philadelphia Soul, recently signed from the Georgia Force where he played for three seasons and was named to the All-Arena Second Team...
- DS - Jason GambleJason GambleJason Edward Gamble is a former Arena Football League offensive lineman/defensive lineman for the Grand Rapids Rampage and the Georgia Force .-High School Years:...
- OL/DL - Nelson GarnerNelson GarnerNelson Garner is an American football placekicker. He spent time in the Arena Football League with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds , the Arizona Rattlers , and the Georgia Force ....
- PK - Willie Gary- DS
- Chris GreisenChris GreisenChristopher J. Greisen is an American football quarterback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwest Missouri State...
- QB - Chris Jackson - WR/LB
- Darryl HammondDarryl HammondDarryl Hammond is a retired arena football Wide receiver / Defensive back in the Arena Football League....
- WR/LB - Derek Lee - WR/DB
- Bruce McClure - OL/DL
- Scottie MontgomeryScottie MontgomeryScottie Montgomery is an American football coach and former wide receiver. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.-Early years:...
- WR/DB - Earthwind MorelandEarthwind MorelandEarthwind C. Moreland is a former National Football League cornerback for the New England Patriots and Arena Football League cornerback/wide receiver for the Las Vegas Gladiators...
- WR/DB - Carl Morris - WR/LB
- Dary MyricksDary MyricksDary Myricks is a former Arena Football League offensive lineman/defensive lineman. He played for the Carolina Cobras, the Detroit Fury, and the Georgia Force.-High school years:...
- OL/DL - Matt NagyMatt NagyMatt Nagy is a former gridiron football quarterback in the Arena Football League. He played for the New York Dragons, Carolina Cobras, Georgia Force and Columbus Destroyers in his six season career. He was signed by the Dragons as a street free agent in 2002. He played college football at Delaware...
- QB - Jermaine SmithJermaine SmithJermaine Smith is an American Arena Football League player for Tampa Bay Storm. He went to Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia where he played Defensive Lineman as well as Fullback. He began his collegiate career at Georgia Military College...
- OL/DL - Eric ZeierEric ZeierEric Royce Zeier is a former American football quarterback. In his five years in the NFL, he played for the Cleveland Browns , Baltimore Ravens , and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Zeier started his career at Heidelberg American High School in Heidelberg, Germany where he led them to a championship...
- QB - Dialleo BurksDialleo BurksDialleo Burks Sr. is a special teams and fullback / linebacker coach for the Georgia Force and former arena football wide receiver / defensive back for the Arena Football League...
- WR - Xavier Beitia - PK
- Adam Gibbs - WR
- Adam Metts - OL/DL
- Juan Porter