Arena Insider’s Anthony Carter traveled to Nashville to speak with Nashville Kats Head Coach Dean Cokinos The veteran head coach spoke about his team so far this season, coming back to the Arena Football League, thoughts on the state of the league and working with owner and league Commissioner Jeff Fisher.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:26):
How's the season been for the NationalWell, season is continuing, it's ongoing,
So we're building a franchise, you'rebuilding the league actually, So it's
been developmental, great kids, greatplayers, young players, teaching everybody how
to play this game and from thetop down to the players. And uh,
it's been a good year so far. We've had some really good games
and challenging games, but it's beena reading football, so it's been good.
(00:47):
What's going going great for your team? What are some of your weaknesses?
And I think for us always beenour depth. We're very good up
front both sides of the ball,our offensive defensive lines. I think you
always build your team inside out.We've starting to grow our wide receiver corps,
so every week we're getting better inour personal I think that's the biggest
part. But we've had a solidgroup of players. We have a good
base of eighteen players that we prettymuch built around, and our depth right
(01:11):
now is our best part of ourteam. And how's the fan base been
here in Nashville. It's been awesometo be back with the Cats as a
startup. It's been gone since Icoached here in two thousand and seven.
Was the last year the Cats hadan arena football team to be back and
part of the third go around.It's been pretty cool, but lots lots
(01:33):
of support, and uh, youknow, this thing is building too.
So we've had we've had a gameout on Clarks for last week. We've
had two here. It's been great. So you've been around the Arena Football
League for quite some time. Talkto us about your background, how you
got started with arena football to whereyou are now. Well, it just
kind of happened, you know.I never anticipated being in the Arena Football
(01:53):
League. I was started out incollege at Austin p State University and University
Massachusetts, had it tunity to goover work under the NFL Europe guideline.
And one of my college teammates androommates, one of my best friends,
Pats Burdudo, happened to be thehead coach of the National Cats on the
second time they were here back inthe late two late nineteen nineties early two
(02:15):
thousands, and opportunity opened up forme to get into arenal football back then,
and I took it and kind ofwent from there, you know,
and the league went away and Ihad fifteen good years, most of them
as a head coach, won twochampionships and very honored to be back here
with the Cats and try the thirdtime here with with the with the team.
So you mentioned a little bit earlierthat you know you were involved with
(02:38):
the league and then it folded atthat time. Was that like new to
you? Like what was going throughyour mind at the time when the league
shut down? That's a heavy question, so, uh, not much,
really, I think it. Ithink it kind of it evolved. It
hit a high point here. Iwas here during the NFL years when they
(02:58):
own most of the teams were NFLowned, and we had we had a
CBA and NFL PA, and wehad TV sponsors and the great Eli go
was was doing the NBC games andI was here during the high point.
So after that the NFL owners left, the league started going downhill. I
think it was just kind of expectedthat eventually it would go away, and
(03:19):
it did. Uh so what nota big surprise there. So and it's
just very fortunate that it's back now, right And when you heard that it
was coming back after a five yearhiatus, how did they approach you and
how what was your react? Iwas looking forward as watching it, so
I had no intention of coming backin. It just kind of happened,
you know, Coach Fisher, Jeffgot involved here with the Cats and a
(03:40):
few phone calls were made to meoutside outside people, uh, and then
Jeff and I connected, and youknow, he was interested and asked if
I would be interested, and Igot to meet some of the people that
were going to get involved, andI had the opportunity to bring a lot
of colleagues players, coaches I've workedwith in the past. You know,
Nashville's my home. So just kindof worked out, you know, I
know it really really didn't have attentionof coming back into it, but with
(04:03):
the people involved, especially Jeff,kind of made it exciting. And we're
here now and we'll building some prettycool Yeah. What's it like working with
Jeff Fisher and all the staff thatyou have. It has been great.
You know, the wealth of Knowlogyhas building you know, NFL teams from
the ground up. He's moved twoor three NFL franchises. And with my
(04:24):
experience in the Rena Football League andour network here and we all have our
own networks and everybody in the organizationbrings something different in its top top class
I mean top shelf people from mediato operations, to business, to sponsorship
to coaching to Jeff. So Ithink just working with a great stable of
people's been phenomenal. And you know, I think when it comes to arena
(04:46):
football, I think what makes itdifferent or makes a standout is the players
coming to in football to get tothat next level, get to NFL CFO.
As a coach, how do youhelp them get to that next Well,
yeah, so that's great question.It's a blend, right. You
have you have guys that are onthe verge of going up, guys maybe
coming down, and some guys anddon't have a chance, right, And
(05:08):
that's the uniqueness of every football it'sit's a different The roster's blended. It's
three levels of type of players.For us, you know, even you
know, when I started way backin early two thousands, it was always
important for us to have NFL orabove level players, if that makes sense.
So you know, we wanted tobring guys that we know were't gonna
stay here, and we always didthat. You know, generally, my
rosters have anywhere from seven to tenplayers leave the time we started the season
(05:32):
to the end. This year,we had three we've had. We lost
three players to the NFL CFL soand that's a tribute to our scouting and
the type of players that want tocome play for us. So I think,
you know, for us, that'spart of the cell. If you
want to play for us, youknow, want to help you move on,
We'll help you with our network,with mine, coach Shackelford's, coach
Fisher's, we have a tremendous amountof resources here tell players who actually have
(05:55):
the ability to move on. Andso for us, that's our goal is
to get players that will leave hereat this same time to help us bring
more good players when the players getto that next level. How does that
make you feel? That's awesome,man, It's so so proud of these
guys, you know, playing Hooverwas the last one to go. Right
before our last game, day beforeour last game, we got a call
from the forty nine ers and soexcited for him, you know, put
(06:15):
us in a little bit of ajam, but I'm so excited these guys
can do it. They work sohard to get to that level and they
come here, they travel here,they put in the time here, and
it's not a lot of money andfor see an opportunity for these guys.
It's just great. As someone youknow, I consider you a veteran.
And when it comes in as faras the Rena Football League space, how
have you seen ren Football League changejust over the years, whether it's good
(06:40):
or bad, it's been just througha cycle, man, you know,
from you know, I was onthe outside looking in. I I observed
it. Coach called Larry o'herrit,Tim Markham, all the legends, you
know. I knew those guys wayback when I was in college coaching and
I observed the game. A lotof my former teammates were playing in it.
So I saw build up from abasically a parking lot league where guys
(07:01):
will get dressed in the parking lotand all the way up towards NFL owned
and CBA and NBC network until onthe decline. And now I think we're
to go back a third time andhave the opportunity to be part of a
group that tries to bring it backup to the highest peak. It's pretty
cool. So that's what we're lookingto do here, right And considering how
(07:23):
this season started so far, whatwas your reaction? We start to see
things kind of unfolds, and dayafter day it's been non stop, so
it's a lot, you know.I don't think we've had a chance to
breathe yet and have a view ofit. We're just everybody's just working so
hard, trying to do so manythings. Everybody's wearing many hats, and
I think the goal is just getthrough this year and build a strong base
(07:44):
for the league and for our organization, but really put a staple on the
ground and just build off it.Right, I think it's all right now.
Everybody's just working so hard to buildthis thing, and we have a
chance to step back and see.I think it's gonna be pretty cool what
everybody's done to build this league.What do you think the league needs to
make sure it stays around for thenext ten, twenty thirty years. I
think you have to have good peopleinvolved, really experienced people, and you
(08:07):
have to have investors, bottom lineinvestors, media. There's a process.
You know, there's gonna be somegrowing pains, always is in minor league
football. But you know, justin my experience, it's the people involved.
You know, you have to havegood business people, good football people,
good investors, and good workers andgood players. I think it's just
it's a collection of a different varietyof types of people and levels of experience.
(08:31):
Jeff Fisher appointed as interim commissioner.Who is I could see you smelling.
It's just the commission right, Soit's pretty cool. You can ask
for a better guy, I think. I think the League in itself is
very fortunate to have that happen.I think if there's a true chance to
grow this thing and get through thisyear and keep building, it's going to
(08:52):
be with Jeff's leadership at that position. So it's awesome for everybody. Do
you think he could turn this around? I think so, absolutely, without
a doubt.
How's the season been for the NationalWell, season is continuing, it's ongoing,
So we're building a franchise, you'rebuilding the league actually, So it's
been developmental, great kids, greatplayers, young players, teaching everybody how
to play this game and from thetop down to the players. And uh,
it's been a good year so far. We've had some really good games
and challenging games, but it's beena reading football, so it's been good.
(00:47):
What's going going great for your team? What are some of your weaknesses?
And I think for us always beenour depth. We're very good up
front both sides of the ball,our offensive defensive lines. I think you
always build your team inside out.We've starting to grow our wide receiver corps,
so every week we're getting better inour personal I think that's the biggest
part. But we've had a solidgroup of players. We have a good
base of eighteen players that we prettymuch built around, and our depth right
(01:11):
now is our best part of ourteam. And how's the fan base been
here in Nashville. It's been awesometo be back with the Cats as a
startup. It's been gone since Icoached here in two thousand and seven.
Was the last year the Cats hadan arena football team to be back and
part of the third go around.It's been pretty cool, but lots lots
(01:33):
of support, and uh, youknow, this thing is building too.
So we've had we've had a gameout on Clarks for last week. We've
had two here. It's been great. So you've been around the Arena Football
League for quite some time. Talkto us about your background, how you
got started with arena football to whereyou are now. Well, it just
kind of happened, you know.I never anticipated being in the Arena Football
(01:53):
League. I was started out incollege at Austin p State University and University
Massachusetts, had it tunity to goover work under the NFL Europe guideline.
And one of my college teammates androommates, one of my best friends,
Pats Burdudo, happened to be thehead coach of the National Cats on the
second time they were here back inthe late two late nineteen nineties early two
(02:15):
thousands, and opportunity opened up forme to get into arenal football back then,
and I took it and kind ofwent from there, you know,
and the league went away and Ihad fifteen good years, most of them
as a head coach, won twochampionships and very honored to be back here
with the Cats and try the thirdtime here with with the with the team.
So you mentioned a little bit earlierthat you know you were involved with
(02:38):
the league and then it folded atthat time. Was that like new to
you? Like what was going throughyour mind at the time when the league
shut down? That's a heavy question, so, uh, not much,
really, I think it. Ithink it kind of it evolved. It
hit a high point here. Iwas here during the NFL years when they
(02:58):
own most of the teams were NFLowned, and we had we had a
CBA and NFL PA, and wehad TV sponsors and the great Eli go
was was doing the NBC games andI was here during the high point.
So after that the NFL owners left, the league started going downhill. I
think it was just kind of expectedthat eventually it would go away, and
(03:19):
it did. Uh so what nota big surprise there. So and it's
just very fortunate that it's back now, right And when you heard that it
was coming back after a five yearhiatus, how did they approach you and
how what was your react? Iwas looking forward as watching it, so
I had no intention of coming backin. It just kind of happened,
you know, Coach Fisher, Jeffgot involved here with the Cats and a
(03:40):
few phone calls were made to meoutside outside people, uh, and then
Jeff and I connected, and youknow, he was interested and asked if
I would be interested, and Igot to meet some of the people that
were going to get involved, andI had the opportunity to bring a lot
of colleagues players, coaches I've workedwith in the past. You know,
Nashville's my home. So just kindof worked out, you know, I
know it really really didn't have attentionof coming back into it, but with
(04:03):
the people involved, especially Jeff,kind of made it exciting. And we're
here now and we'll building some prettycool Yeah. What's it like working with
Jeff Fisher and all the staff thatyou have. It has been great.
You know, the wealth of Knowlogyhas building you know, NFL teams from
the ground up. He's moved twoor three NFL franchises. And with my
(04:24):
experience in the Rena Football League andour network here and we all have our
own networks and everybody in the organizationbrings something different in its top top class
I mean top shelf people from mediato operations, to business, to sponsorship
to coaching to Jeff. So Ithink just working with a great stable of
people's been phenomenal. And you know, I think when it comes to arena
(04:46):
football, I think what makes itdifferent or makes a standout is the players
coming to in football to get tothat next level, get to NFL CFO.
As a coach, how do youhelp them get to that next Well,
yeah, so that's great question.It's a blend, right. You
have you have guys that are onthe verge of going up, guys maybe
coming down, and some guys anddon't have a chance, right, And
(05:08):
that's the uniqueness of every football it'sit's a different The roster's blended. It's
three levels of type of players.For us, you know, even you
know, when I started way backin early two thousands, it was always
important for us to have NFL orabove level players, if that makes sense.
So you know, we wanted tobring guys that we know were't gonna
stay here, and we always didthat. You know, generally, my
rosters have anywhere from seven to tenplayers leave the time we started the season
(05:32):
to the end. This year,we had three we've had. We lost
three players to the NFL CFL soand that's a tribute to our scouting and
the type of players that want tocome play for us. So I think,
you know, for us, that'spart of the cell. If you
want to play for us, youknow, want to help you move on,
We'll help you with our network,with mine, coach Shackelford's, coach
Fisher's, we have a tremendous amountof resources here tell players who actually have
(05:55):
the ability to move on. Andso for us, that's our goal is
to get players that will leave hereat this same time to help us bring
more good players when the players getto that next level. How does that
make you feel? That's awesome,man, It's so so proud of these
guys, you know, playing Hooverwas the last one to go. Right
before our last game, day beforeour last game, we got a call
from the forty nine ers and soexcited for him, you know, put
(06:15):
us in a little bit of ajam, but I'm so excited these guys
can do it. They work sohard to get to that level and they
come here, they travel here,they put in the time here, and
it's not a lot of money andfor see an opportunity for these guys.
It's just great. As someone youknow, I consider you a veteran.
And when it comes in as faras the Rena Football League space, how
have you seen ren Football League changejust over the years, whether it's good
(06:40):
or bad, it's been just througha cycle, man, you know,
from you know, I was onthe outside looking in. I I observed
it. Coach called Larry o'herrit,Tim Markham, all the legends, you
know. I knew those guys wayback when I was in college coaching and
I observed the game. A lotof my former teammates were playing in it.
So I saw build up from abasically a parking lot league where guys
(07:01):
will get dressed in the parking lotand all the way up towards NFL owned
and CBA and NBC network until onthe decline. And now I think we're
to go back a third time andhave the opportunity to be part of a
group that tries to bring it backup to the highest peak. It's pretty
cool. So that's what we're lookingto do here, right And considering how
(07:23):
this season started so far, whatwas your reaction? We start to see
things kind of unfolds, and dayafter day it's been non stop, so
it's a lot, you know.I don't think we've had a chance to
breathe yet and have a view ofit. We're just everybody's just working so
hard, trying to do so manythings. Everybody's wearing many hats, and
I think the goal is just getthrough this year and build a strong base
(07:44):
for the league and for our organization, but really put a staple on the
ground and just build off it.Right, I think it's all right now.
Everybody's just working so hard to buildthis thing, and we have a
chance to step back and see.I think it's gonna be pretty cool what
everybody's done to build this league.What do you think the league needs to
make sure it stays around for thenext ten, twenty thirty years. I
think you have to have good peopleinvolved, really experienced people, and you
(08:07):
have to have investors, bottom lineinvestors, media. There's a process.
You know, there's gonna be somegrowing pains, always is in minor league
football. But you know, justin my experience, it's the people involved.
You know, you have to havegood business people, good football people,
good investors, and good workers andgood players. I think it's just
it's a collection of a different varietyof types of people and levels of experience.
(08:31):
Jeff Fisher appointed as interim commissioner.Who is I could see you smelling.
It's just the commission right, Soit's pretty cool. You can ask
for a better guy, I think. I think the League in itself is
very fortunate to have that happen.I think if there's a true chance to
grow this thing and get through thisyear and keep building, it's going to
(08:52):
be with Jeff's leadership at that position. So it's awesome for everybody. Do
you think he could turn this around? I think so, absolutely, without
a doubt.
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