Looking At The Memphis Showboats 2025 Coaching Staff | Ken Whisenhunt
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Looking At The Memphis Showboats 2025 Coaching Staff

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It’s a brand new era of Memphis Showboats football. With Ken Whisenhunt taking over for John DeFilippo, the Showboats will feature a much different coaching staff this upcoming UFL season.

Following a 2-8 campaign in the UFL, it isn’t surprising to see the Showboats bringing in quite a few new faces. Many are experienced in the pro/spring scene, and will look to help turn this Memphis franchise around in 2025.

Ken Whisenhunt | Head Coach/OC

Whisenhunt is the lone new face at Head Coach in the UFL this year. He joined the league following DeFilippo’s departure – and actually initiated the process himself by reaching out to Daryl Johnston for the job.

Whisenhunt made his NFL coaching debut in 1997, with the Baltimore Ravens. He was hired as their tight ends coach, after a gig with Vanderbilt. Across the next several years, Whisenhunt served with a few NFL teams as a position coach.

This all changed in 2004, when Ken was given the opportunity to become the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator. He ended up winning the Super Bowl in 2005 with Pittsburgh, helping lead Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense to victory over the Seahawks.

In 2007, Ken took over as the Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Interestingly enough, just a year later he would lead Arizona to the Super Bowl, facing off against his old team – and falling just short against the Steelers. Since then, Ken has had multiple opportunities elsewhere; including as HC of the Tennessee Titans, where he went 3-20.

Now, Whisenhunt will look to turn things around in two ways. One, he’ll look to rewrite his career as a pro HC – given his last stints going poorly. Secondly, Whisenhunt will also look to help Memphis get back on track, following their 2-8 campaign in 2024. It’s expected that Ken will serve as the Offensive Coordinator, alongside his HC duties.

Jarren Horton | Defensive Coordinator

It’s about time: Jarren Horton is finally back in the spring football scene. Horton is one of the legends from the USFL, having earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors back in 2023 with the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Truthfully speaking, it’s unreal that Jarren Horton wasn’t a part of anyone’s staff in the UFL this year. He spent two years with the Pittsburgh Maulers as their Defensive Coordinator, playing a major role in the team’s Championship run in 2023. Despite having the worst offense in the USFL, Horton’s defense led the USFL in practically every single category, which pushed them to the success that they saw late.

Horton brings plenty of experience to the table as well. He has spent time at Vanderbilt, Southeastern Louisiana, and Connecticut in various defensive/analyst roles. Jarren was a part of the AAF in 2019, with the Atlanta Legends.

What makes this addition so exciting is the fact that Memphis desperately needed an overhaul at the position. Carnell Lake’s defense was horrendous in 2024, allowing a league-worst 29 points per game. With Horton taking the reins; and a completely revamped unit (featuring plenty of former Maulers), expect Memphis’ defense to be stronger in 2025.

Luke Ferninand | Running Backs

Luke Ferninand is a younger coach who gets his first pro opportunity in the UFL, with Memphis. Ferninand has coached at Black Hills State University the past three years, working with the running backs and offensive linemen there. He has past experience as a video coordinator with South Dakota as well. With a brand new RB room in Memphis, Ferdinand will have a lot of talent to work with this upcoming season.

T.J. Vernieri | Tight Ends/Wide Receivers

T.J. Vernieri is back in action, this time with a new coaching staff in the UFL. Vernieri was a part of John DeFilippo’s staff the past two seasons, with the Breakers in the USFL in 2023, and the Showboats in 2024. T.J. Venrieri has worked with the likes of some of the top tight ends we’ve seen in spring football (i.e. Sage Surratt). His role will change a bit this upcoming season, as he’ll be taking over as WR’s coach as well. Memphis features some outstanding talent at the wideout position, so don’t be surprised if his unit shows out this season.

Jim Turner | Offensive Line

Jim Turner returns to Memphis as well, alongside Vernieri who was on DeFilippo’s staff for a couple of years. Turner has a ton of experience at the NFL and collegiate level. He’s coached three pro bowlers, recruited six first round draft picks, and coached four All-Americans.

Turner saw quite a bit of success in the USFL in 2023, as his offensive line paved the way for Wes Hills to lead the league in scoring. However, this past season in Memphis was a disaster – as the Showboats gave up a league worst 38 sacks. With new faces in the O-Line room, Jim will have to make some serious adjustments prior to season two.

Lee Morris | Offensive Quality Control

Now this is a fascinating story. Lee Morris is entering his first season as a coach – at any level. Morris has been in the USFL and UFL the past three seasons, playing with the Breakers and Showboats. He posted 310 receiving yards and two touchdowns with the Breakers. Morris wasn’t utilized much in Memphis this past season, with three receptions for 10 yards. One of his big catches in week five against Michigan was called back due to a penalty. Morris played his college ball at Oklahoma, with 848 receiving yards and 11 TD’s to his name.

Brian Baker | Defensive Line

Bringing a ton of NFL experience to the defensive staff is Brian Baker, who will coach the defensive line. Baker has over 40 years of coaching experience, getting his start at the collegiate level at Georgia Tech. In 1996, he earned his first NFL opportunity, with the San Diego Chargers as their Defensive Line coach.

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Since then, Baker has been on tons of rosters. He’s had stints with the Vikings, Rams, Cowboys, Browns, and Redskins, all in similar roles. Baker has coached the likes of DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, and Jay Ratliff with the Cowboys. Most recently, Brian was back at Georgia Tech serving as a Defensive Analyst.

Marc Hull | Linebackers/Special Teams

One of the most underrated coaches in the spring scene is back. Marc Hull returns with Jarren Horton, and will serve Memphis as their linebackers coach – alongside special teams assistance. Hull was with the Pittsburgh Maulers for a couple of seasons, and was a major part in helping Kyahva Tezino to an All-USFL campaign in ‘23. Additionally, he coached the likes of Isiah Hennie and Joshua Simmons (both All-USFL in 2023), alongside Chris Blewitt and Matt Mengel who crushed it in the USFL.

Steve Meyer | Defensive Quality Control

Steve Meyer is another former Mauler who joins Jarren in Memphis. Meyer was in the USFL for a couple of years in Pittsburgh, starting out as DQC, before making the move to DB’s coach in 2023. Steve worked with All-USFL talent such as Arnold Tarpley and Mark Gilbert – alongside standouts Bryce Torneden, Keith Gipson Jr., and others.

Meyer has previous experience at the collegiate level with Saint Vincent College, as their defensive coordinator in 2022. Steve also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive assistant and scout from 2013-2018.

Jim Monos | General Manager

Finally, Jim Monos will continue to serve as the Showboats general manager, having replaced Dennis Polian during the offseason. Monos has been involved in the spring football scene for quite some time. He was the Director of Player Personnel for the San Diego Fleet of the AAF in 2019, and was the Senior Director of Football Operations for the XFL from 2022-2023.

Aside from his connections to the world of spring football, Monos had a relationship prior with UFL CEO, Russ Brandon. Jim was the DPP for the Buffalo Bills from 2013-2017, which overlapped with Russ’ time with the Bills as well.

Jim has been working hard to revamp this Memphis roster for the upcoming season. Memphis had to make quite a few changes – and so far, Monos has been making some solid moves. The Showboats aren’t Championship contenders quite yet; but as this roster continues to come together, don’t be surprised if they look a lot better in 2025.

What are your thoughts on the Memphis Showboats coaching staff for 2025? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!

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