Benji McDowell

American football player and coach (born 1985)
American football player
Benji McDowell
Personal information
Born: (1985-10-12) October 12, 1985 (age 38)
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
College:Lenoir–Rhyne
Undrafted:2007
Career history
As a player:
  • Alabama Vipers (20082010)
  • Georgia Force (20112012)
  • Alabama Hammers (2012)
  • New Orleans VooDoo (2015)
As a coach:
  • Chase High School, NC (2010–2012) (Defensive Line)
  • University of Georgia (2014–2015) (Intern (Defensive Line, Strength and Conditioning})
  • Tampa Bay Storm (2016) (Defensive coordinator)
  • Washington Valor (20172018) (Defensive coordinator)
  • Washington Valor (20182019)
Career highlights and awards
Career Arena statistics
Tackles:54.5
Sacks:8.0
Force Fumbles:2
Fumble Recoveries:3
Head coaching record
Regular season:9–11
Postseason:2–3
Career:11–14
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Benjamin McDowell is an American football coach and former player who was most recently the head coach of the Washington Valor of the Arena Football League (AFL).

College career

McDowell attended Lenoir–Rhyne, where he was a First Team All-South Atlantic Conference player in 2005-06.[1]

Coaching career

When the Washington Valor fired Dean Cokinos on May 16, 2018, after a 0–7 start to the 2018 season, McDowell was named the interim head coach.[2] Under McDowell, the Valor finished the season with a 2–3 record and the last place position for the playoffs of four AFL teams that qualified. The Valor then upset the top-seeded Albany Empire in a home-and-home series with the greater aggregate score. The Valor then defeated the Baltimore Brigade 69–55 in ArenaBowl XXXI. After the season ended, McDowell's interim tag was removed and was named the permanent head coach for the 2019 season.[3]

Head coaching record

AFL

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
WAS 2018 2 6 .250 4th in AFL 2 1 .667 Won ArenaBowl XXXI
WAS 2019 7 5 .583 2nd in AFL 0 2 .000 Lost to Philadelphia Soul in Semifinals
WAS total 9 11 .450 2 3 .400
Total[4] 9 11 .450 2 3 .400

References

  1. ^ "Presbyterian, Carson-Newman Lead SAC All-Conference Football Team; Ellis, Robinson Named Players of Year". www.thesac.com. South Atlantic Conference. November 7, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  2. ^ Adam Zielonka (May 16, 2018). "Washington Valor fire head coach Dean Cokinos". www.m.washingtontimes.com. Washington Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  3. ^ "McDowell Named Valor Head Coach". OurSportsCentral.com. September 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "Benji McDowell Coaching Record". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved July 28, 2018.

External links

  • ArenaFan stats
  • Just Sports Stats
  • v
  • t
  • e
Washington Valor
  • Founded in 2016
  • Based in Washington, D.C.
  • Owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment
FranchiseArenasHead coaches
Playoff appearances (2)ArenaBowl championships (1)Seasons
  • v
  • t
  • e
Washington Valor ArenaBowl XXXI champions
  • Head coach: Benji McDowell
  • Coaches: Cosmo Dematteo