Atlanta Legends

The Atlanta Legends were a professional American football franchise based in Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which played one season from February 2019 to April 2019.[1] They played their home games at Georgia State Stadium on the campus of Georgia State University. The Legends were one of two AAF teams based in a city that already had an NFL team (the Atlanta Falcons; the other team was the Arizona Hotshots, where the NFL's Cardinals were based). The Legends were coached by Kevin Coyle, one of two AAF coaches without prior head coaching experience, after the position became available when Brad Childress resigned a month before the season began.[2] Billy Devaney was the general manager.

Atlanta Legends
Team logo
Established2018
Folded2019
Based inAtlanta, Georgia
Home stadiumGeorgia State Stadium
Head coachKevin Coyle
General managerBilly Devaney
Team presidentDavid Livingston
LeagueAlliance of American Football
DivisionEastern Conference (2019)
ColorsPurple, gold & white
     

On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,[3][4] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[5] The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.[6]

History

The Alliance Atlanta team was announced by the league on April 25, 2018, as its second initial team. Additionally, the head coach, Brad Childress, and offensive coordinator, Michael Vick, were announced.[7][8] On September 20, the league announced for four eastern inaugural franchises' names and logos including Atlanta as the Atlanta Legends.[9] The name and colors (purple, gold, white) are tributes to famous historical figures from the city, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Hank Aaron.[10][11]

Childress resigned a month before the start of the 2019 season, and Kevin Coyle, initially hired as the team's defensive coordinator, took Childress's place.[12] On February 7, 2019, two days before their first game, head coach Coyle announced that Vick would be unable to fill his role as offensive coordinator and would instead act as an advisor to the team.[13] Rich Bartel, who replaced Vick as de facto offensive coordinator and play-caller, abruptly resigned two days before the team's home opener,[14] prompting the team to hire Ken Zampese to lead the offense.[15]

The team's first game was at Spectrum Stadium against the Orlando Apollos on Saturday, February 9, 2019,[16] where they lost 40–6.[17] Their first home game was on February 24 against the Birmingham Iron, where they lost 28–12.[16] After starting the season 0–3, the Legends recorded their first win against the Arizona Hotshots on March 3, 2019.[18]

Final roster
2019 Atlanta Legends final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 74 Parker Collins OT (IR)
  • 32 Tyson Graham FS (IR)
  • 24 Bronson Hill RB (IR)
  • 87 Garrett Hudson TE (IR)
  • 70 John Kling T (IR)
  • 42 Quincy Mauger S (IR)
  • 60 Trae Moxley OL (IR)
  • 77 Brandon Pertile G (IR)
  • 25 Denard Robinson RB (IR)
  • 74 Bentley Spain OT (IR)
  • 27 Akrum Wadley RB (IR)

Rights list

  • -- Donnie Miles, Jr. DB
  • -- Matthew Schmidt OL
  • -- Jake Sutherland TE


46 Active, 14 Inactive

Allocation pool

The Legends' assigned area, which designated player rights, included the following:[19]

Staff
Atlanta Legends staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Ken Zampese
  • Running backs – John Johnson
  • Tight ends – Corey Woods
  • Offensive line – Pete Metzelaars
  • Offensive assistant – Miles Robinson

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – Louie Cioffi
  • Defensive line – Leroy Thompson
  • Linebackers/Defensive specialist – Jennifer Welter
  • Defensive assistant – Tyler Anderson
  • Special teams coordinator/linebackers coach – Mark Criner
  

Sports Medicine staff

  • Head athletic trainer – Rachel Sharpe
  • Assistant athletic trainer – Daniel McAdams
  • Physical therapist – Mike Thomas

Equipment staff

  • Head equipment manager – Cortez Robinson
  • Assistant equipment manager – Jessica Gladden

Video staff

  • Video director – Jacob Berry
  • Assistant video director – Rickey Layman

→ Coaching Staff

2019 season
2019 Atlanta Legends season
General managerBilly Devaney
Head coachKevin Coyle
Home fieldGeorgia State Stadium
Results
Record2–6
League place3rd (tie), Eastern Conference

Final standings
2019 Alliance of American Football standings
Eastern Conference
Club W–L PCT CONF PF PA DIFF SOS SOV STK
(x) – Orlando Apollos 7–1 .875 5–0 236 136 100 .406 .375 W2
(x) – Birmingham Iron 5–3 .625 3–2 165 133 32 .406 .300 W1
(e) – Memphis Express 2–6 .250 1–4 152 194 -42 .578 .500 L1
(e) – Atlanta Legends 2–6 .250 1–4 88 213 -125 .609 .438 L3
Western Conference
Club W–L PCT CONF PF PA DIFF SOS SOV STK
San Antonio Commanders 5–3 .625 3–2 158 154 4 .516 .450 L1
Arizona Hotshots 5–3 .625 3–2 186 144 42 .469 .500 W3
San Diego Fleet 3–5 .375 2–3 158 161 -3 .469 .417 L3
Salt Lake Stallions 3–5 .375 2–3 135 143 -8 .547 .417 W1
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Preseason
Week Day Date Opponent Results Location
Score Record
–MondayJanuary 28at San Antonio CommandersL 11–37Alamodome

Regular season

All times Eastern

Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 Saturday February 9 8:00 p.m. CBS at Orlando Apollos L 6–40 0–1 Spectrum Stadium
2 Sunday February 17 8:00 p.m. NFLN at San Diego Fleet L 12–24 0–2 SDCCU Stadium
3 Sunday February 24 4:00 p.m. CBSSN Birmingham Iron L 12–28 0–3 Georgia State Stadium
4 Sunday March 3 8:00 p.m. NFLN at Arizona Hotshots W 14–11 1–3 Sun Devil Stadium
5 Sunday March 10 4:00 p.m. CBSSN Memphis Express W 23–20 2–3 Georgia State Stadium
6 Sunday March 17 4:00 p.m. CBSSN San Antonio Commanders L 6–37 2–4 Georgia State Stadium
7 Saturday March 23 2:00 p.m. TNT† Orlando Apollos L 6–36 2–5 Georgia State Stadium
8 Sunday March 31 4:00 p.m. CBSSN at Birmingham Iron L 9–17 2–6 Legion Field
9 Sunday April 7 4:00 p.m. CBSSN Salt Lake Stallions Not played Georgia State Stadium
10 Saturday April 13 8:00 p.m. NFLN at Memphis Express Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

† Changed from original time and/or network.[20]
[16][21]

Week 1: at Orlando
Week One: Atlanta Legends at Orlando Apollos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Legends 3 3 006
Apollos 0 22 31540

at Spectrum Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Game information

Week 2: at San Diego
Week Two: Atlanta Legends at San Diego Fleet – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Legends 9 0 0312
Fleet 0 6 31524

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Week 3: Birmingham
Week Three: Birmingham Iron at Atlanta Legends – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Iron 0 9 11828
Legends 0 6 0612

at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 4: at Arizona
Week Four: Atlanta Legends at Arizona Hotshots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Legends 2 6 0614
Hotshots 0 3 0811

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Week 5: Memphis
Week Five: Memphis Express at Atlanta Legends – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Express 6 6 8020
Legends 3 11 0923

at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 6: San Antonio
Week Six: San Antonio Commanders at Atlanta Legends – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Commanders 6 20 3837
Legends 0 6 006

at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 7: Orlando
Week Seven: Orlando Apollos at Atlanta Legends – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Apollos 8 6 14836
Legends 0 6 006

at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 8: at Birmingham
Week Eight: Atlanta Legends at Birmingham Iron – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Legends 3 3 309
Iron 0 11 3317

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Game information

Media

In addition to league-wide television coverage through NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, TNT, and B/R Live, Legends' games were also broadcast on local radio by WCNN ("680 The Fan").[30]

References
  1. Wilson, Bernie. "Atlanta Legends no more: AAF football immediately suspends operations". WSB-TV ATLANTA. Cox Media Group. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  2. "One month to kickoff, Childress quits AAF job". ESPN.com. January 9, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  3. Kercheval, Ben (April 2, 2019). "AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  4. "AAF to immediately suspend operations". ESPN. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  5. Schwartz, Nick (April 4, 2019). "AAF star Keith Reaser becomes first player to sign NFL deal after league shutdown". USA Today. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  6. "AAF files for bankruptcy, officially closes down", USA Today, AP, April 17, 2019, retrieved April 17, 2019
  7. Culpepper, JuliaKate E. (April 25, 2018). "Michael Vick will lead offense of new pro football league team in Atlanta". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  8. "Michael Vick to be offensive coordinator on new Alliance of American football Atlanta team". WAGA. April 25, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  9. Benjamin, Cody (September 20, 2018). "LOOK: Alliance of American Football unveils logos of four pro teams that will debut in 2019". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  10. Culpepper, JuliaKate (September 20, 2018). "Exclusive: Name, logo revealed for new pro football team in Atlanta". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  11. Yasin, Kareem (November 27, 2018). "The Alliance of American Football Unveils its Inaugural Uniforms". Alliance of American Football. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  12. "One month to kickoff, Childress quits AAF job". ESPN.com. January 9, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  13. Vivlamore, Chris (February 7, 2019). "Michael Vick out as Atlanta Legends offensive coordinator". AJC. Cox Enterprises. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  14. Johnson, Parker (February 25, 2019). "Play-caller Bartel becomes third coach to leave Legends". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  15. Perloff, Andrew [@andrewperloff] (March 3, 2019). "Interesting @TheAAF note... former Bengals OC, Browns QBs coach Ken Zampese came aboard to run offense for @AafLegends this week and helped QB Aaron Murray lead them win tonight. Zampese was with Andy Dalton for long time and Baker Mayfield last year" (Tweet). Retrieved March 3, 2019 – via Twitter.
  16. "Alliance of American Football schedule released for Arizona Hotshots, other 7 teams". AZ Central. USA Today Network. October 16, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  17. Kercheval, Ben (February 9, 2019). "AAF Week 1 scores, highlights: Spurrier calls 'Philly Special' for TD, Orlando and San Antonio win openers". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  18. "Aaron Murray takes over at quarterback, leads Atlanta Legends to first win". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  19. Inabinett, Mark (July 12, 2018). "Alabama, Auburn players to go on Birmingham AAF team's assignment list". AL.com. Alabama Media Group. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  20. "TNT to exclusively televise two additional AAF games". AAF.com. March 6, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  21. "2019 Atlanta Legends Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  22. Filipe, Cameron (February 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 1, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  23. Filipe, Cameron (February 13, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 2, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  24. Filipe, Cameron (February 22, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 3, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  25. Filipe, Cameron (February 27, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 4, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  26. Filipe, Cameron (March 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 5, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  27. Filipe, Cameron (March 14, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 6, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  28. Filipe, Cameron (March 21, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 7, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  29. Filipe, Cameron (March 28, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 8, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  30. "'680 The Fan' To Carry Atlanta Legends Football Games". insideradio.com. January 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.

Further reading
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