Sharks Complete Coaching Staff for 2016

(photo credit: zimbio.com)

In some of the final preparations for the 2016 Arena Football League season, the Jacksonville Sharks have announced their coaching staff. Along with Les Moss, who will begin his seventh season as head coach, Offensive Coordinator Raymond Philyaw, Lineman/Linebackers Coach Mike Grissom, and Assistant Coach/Head Equipment Manager Erik Gibson.

(photo credit: jaxsharks.com)

This will be Philyaw's third stint as an offensive coordinator, previously guiding the San Antonio Talons and New Orleans VooDoo. As a player, he spent 10 years becoming one of the league's best all-time quarterbacks while at the helm of four different franchises, including starring for the Indiana Firebirds and leading the Cleveland Gladiators to the National Conference Championship.

He completed his career in 2010, having amassed 26,552 passing yards at a 65.6% completion percentage, and 507 touchdowns against only 59 interceptions. Prior to his time in the AFL, he played for the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Indoor Football League's Madison Mad Dogs.

Mike Grissom, who played nose guard for four years the University of Central Florida, becoming team captain in the process, has developed a coaching career here in Jacksonville. He was the Assistant Defensive Coach at the Bolles School from 2005-2012, and then moved on to Edward Waters College to be the Linebackers Coach and Running Game Coordinator in 2013.

Erik Gibson, the new Assistant Coach/Head Equipment Manager, is another local product. A native of Middleburg, FL, he played tight end for five af2 teams in his career, including the Jacksonville Tomcats. Gibson played under legendary coaches Perry Moss (Les' father), Mike Neu, and Bret Munsey in that time.

To round out the staff, the Sharks hired Brian Campbell as Video Coordinator of Football Operations.