Jeff Fisher names Dean Cokinos coach of relaunched Arena Football League's Nashville Kats
A familiar name was announced Friday as the coach of the Nashville Kats, who will return when the Arena Football League relaunches in 2024.
Dean Cokinos, who served as a Kats assistant from 2005 to 2007 under head coach Pat Sperduto, will be named coach and vice president of football operations for the new franchise, which recently acquired the trademark to be called the Nashville Kats. Cokinos spent time as Knoxville Catholic's coach this year before stepping down in July.
Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, a Kats partner and the president of football operations, made the announcement. Fisher and Cokinos worked together when Cokinos was with the Kats, who were owned by former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams. Cokinos served as pro scout for the Titans from 2003 to 2007.
“As we went through the process, it became clear quite early on that Dean was the right person for the job,” Fisher, who also coached the L.A. Rams, said in a release. “He has for three-plus decades coached and worked in front offices on a variety of levels of football from high schools to colleges to internationally and, especially, a championship-winning pedigree in arena football. His experiences and knowledge will be invaluable from both a football and business perspective.”
After his time with the Kats, Cokinos coached the Georgia Force, New Orleans VooDoo, Alabama Vipers and Alabama Hammers. As a head coach, Cokinos won two AFL championships, five conference championships, made seven semifinal appearances and 13 playoff appearances.
JEFF FISHER HELPS BRING BACK THE KATS: How Jeff Fisher is helping bring back the Nashville Kats and Arena Football League
NASHVILLE KATS RETURNING TO NASHVILLE: Nashville getting arena football team in 2024, first since 2007
“With Nashville being home and knowing how popular the Nashville Kats were and will be again, I am excited to be part of helping return the Arena Football League to Nashville,” Cokinos said. “Obviously, getting to work with Jeff Fisher in launching the new Nashville Kats will be so much fun. I can’t wait to get started. We want to win Arena Football League championships.”
Along with Knoxville Catholic, Cokinos' high school experience includes serving as special teams coordinator at Brentwood Academy in 2020 and linebackers coach at Ensworth in 2021 and '22.
The Kats will play five home games at Municipal Auditorium, with the season opener against the Minnesota Myth slated for April 27. The Kats will play the Georgia Force on May 18 at the new F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jeff Fisher names Dean Cokinos coach of AFL's Nashville Kats
