The Arizona Rattlers on Thursday announced the team's 2011 coaching staff, which includes Hall of Fame head coach Kevin Guy, assistant head coach Kani Kauahi and defensive doordinator Omarr Smith.
Guy will return as general manager and head coach. He is beginning his third season with the Rattlers and his 11th season coaching in the Arena Football League. Guy won an Arena Bowl as a defensive coordinator for the San Jose SaberCats in 2007 and played four seasons in the AFL with the Minnesota Fighting Pike (1996), the New Jersey Red Dogs (1997-99) and the Orlando Predators (1999), primarily as a receiver/defensive back.
Kauahi is entering his third season with the Rattlers and his first season as assistant head coach. Kauahi played 11 years in the National Football League on the offensive line for the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. Prior to coaching the Rattlers, Kauahi spent the majority of his professional career working in the Canadian Football League, coaching the offensive line for the BC Lions (1998-2000), Ottawa Renegades (2002-2005) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2006).
Smith will the defensive coordinator duties during his second season with the Rattlers. This is his third season coaching in Arena Football and his 11th season overall in the AFL. Smith played mostly defensive back for eight seasons in the AFL, seven of them with the San Jose SaberCats. He won four championships in his eight years, three of them consecutively (2002-04). Smith was named the Defensive MVP of ArenaBowl XXI.
The AFL will be returning for its 24th season with 18 franchises nationwide. The Rattlers return to the field at US Airways Center with an expanded 18-game schedule starting in March.
