Coach's Corner

Check out the latest information from the coaching staff of the Cincinnati Jungle Kats. Have a question or want to find out about something in a recent game? Here's your chance to ask your question to Head Coach Tony Missick. This area will be developed shortly and you can ask your question for the Coach!


Immediately following the final whistle at last Wednesday’s training camp, Nick sat down with Head Coach Tony Missick to get his thoughts on the day’s events.

NB: Three days in the books, Coach. How do you feel thus far?

TM: It’s going well so far. I think we’ve gotten better every day, but today was kind of a mental let down.

NB: How so?

TM: Well, I think that the 2-a-day’s are causing players to seek their “second wind” and they will have to find that in the coming days. That’s what training camp is for.

NB: You must be excited, though, to start the season?

TM: Oh for sure, it’s always exciting to start up a new year…but these next two weeks are very important to gauge where we are at as a unit and where we need to improve upon the most.

NB: What’s going to be the biggest key for your guys in the next couple of weeks leading up to both the scrimmage next Thursday night and the opener on the 31st?

TM: Mental toughness. There all out there on the same level right now and very evenly matched. We just need to go out there and execute.

NB: Eddie Eviston and Ryan Porter…your two starting QB hopefuls. Do you have any premonition of who will be taking the ball in week 1?

TM: At this point, no I do not. It’s really early in training camp and they are both going to have to compete in order to earn the number 1 spot. I’m looking for the one who is going to step up. We’ll find out who that is soon enough.

NB: Thanks, Coach. Talk to you tomorrow!

TM: Anytime Nick! Thank you!


Nick Brunker sat down with Head Coach Tony Missick to discuss the day’s progress at another session of Kats Training Camp.

NB: Your players seem to be happy with their progress today when compared to yesterday. Do you agree?

TM: Absolutely, there was a better response today then on Wednesday. Our players are beginning to mesh and they’re moving a little better as well.

NB: It’s almost the end of the first week of camp…how are the players enduring the opening week?

TM: Well, it was our fifth day of two-a-day’s so there’s obviously some fatigue issues, but that’s why we’re out here….to get in the best shape possible for the season.

NB: I talked with Ryan Porter about the battle for the starting QB spot…is there a frontrunner in your mind right now?

TM: Nope, not really. One day Eddie will play better, then Ryan will come out and have a better day. It’s very back and forth. The scrimmage will tell me who’s ready to step up. We’ll find out next Thursday.

NB: Who’s your surprise performer thus far, and why?

TM: Kamau Jackson. He’s really done a great job adjusting to a bunch of different positions and he’s my surprise performer.

NB: Thanks a lot coach…we’ll chat with you again soon!

TM: Thanks Nick!




Head Coach Up Close - Tony Missick
Courtesy: arenafootball2
Release: 02/23/2007

The 2007 af2 season is coming up fast and this year should be the league's most exciting yet thanks to the addition of nine new teams. For the next few weeks, af2.com will take a closer look at each new team's head coach and how they are preparing for the year ahead. It's "Head Coach Up Close," and this week our correspondent Katherine Stankiewicz chats it up with Cincinnati Jungle Kats Head Coach Tony Missick.

TONY MISSICK, HEAD COACH – CINCINNATI JUNGLE KATS
Arena Football veteran Tony Missick leads the Cincinnati Jungle Kats as head coach in their inaugural season. Coach Missick brings with him 11 seasons of Arena Football as a player and a coach. Before becoming a coach, Missick spent a year with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and then played in the AFL for five seasons (1991-1995) on four AFL teams (Columbus/Cleveland Thunderbolts, Albany Firebirds and Miami Hooters). Missick began his af2 coaching career in 2000 as defensive coordinator for the Richmond Speed and has coached various teams in the af2 since.

af2 Coaching Career:

2000: defensive coordinator – Richmond Speed

2001: defensive coordinator - Norfolk Nighthawks

2002: head coach - Norfolk Nighthawks

2003: defensive coordinator - Columbus Wardogs

2004: defensive coordinator - Cape Fear Wildcats

2005: defensive coordinator - Birmingham Steeldogs

2006: defensive coordinator - Everett Hawks



Q: You were the head coach of the 2002 af2 Norfolk Nighthawks. What is the most important lesson you will take from your Nighthawk experience and apply towards the Jungle Kats?

A: The most important lesson I learned is time management. Ken Easley (former af2 Norfolk Nighthawks owner and former NFL Seattle Seahawk) taught me that it is very important to manage your time as a coach, especially as a head coach. It’s important to stay organized when you’re in charge of a team. Easley taught me valuable tools and I greatly appreciate his teachings.



Q: How have your years of being a defensive coordinator in Arena Football helped you develop into a head coach? How do you plan to apply your defensive coaching knowledge in a League dominated by high-scoring offense?

A: This is my second season as a head coach. Since Arena Football is largely dominated by offense, I had to transfer my focus from solely defense to the other side of the ball as well. I was given great input with the help of an Arena Football veteran. With this help, I believe it has given me an edge, especially with offense game planning.



Q: How has the city of Cincinnati welcomed you and the Jungle Kats?

A: Cincinnati has welcomed myself as well as the Jungle Kats with open arms. The people of Cincinnati are amazing and very friendly. Cincinnati has been home to several other Arena Football teams in the past as well as the NFL’s current Cincinnati Bengals. The citizens give us great support and they’re excited for the season. Cincinnati’s extra energy encourages the team to work even harder to impress their city.



Q: With Cincinnati being located only a little over 100 miles away from the Louisville Fire, do you expect there to be big competition?

A: I expect that Louisville will be our number one rivalry this season. This should bring in some strong fans and provide for great attendance in the stands. Louisville’s head coach, Tommy Johnson is a great guy, a great coach and being able to coach against him will be fun. The cities of Cincinnati and Louisville should prosper greatly for two close cities each having their own af2 teams.



Q: You spent five years playing in the AFL and are now coaching in the af2. Have you encountered any significant changes between the two leagues?

A: Initially when the af2 started, I believe the biggest difference between the AFL and af2 was the size of the linemen. In my 6th season of coaching in the af2, I have noticed that the talent is catching up with that of the AFL. I believe that the AFL will always have physically bigger guys on the line, but the individual skill level is pretty similar between the two leagues. The af2 has some great players who possess outstanding athleticism. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to coach in such a league again.



Q: How do you enjoy spending your time when you’re not busy with coaching?

A: There are not enough days in the off-season or hours in a day for me to be on the golf course. When I’m not preoccupied with football and coaching, I love to be on the green. I’m out there from my 7AM tee-time and I only leave when it’s so dark I can’t see the ball. Golfing is a great sport and I love to participate in it as much as I can.



Q: Have Jungle Kats owners Sam Adams - who currently plays for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals - and Ken Griffey Jr. -outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds and Doctor Timothy Kremchek brought forward any special opportunities for the Jungle Kats?

A: Sam Adams brings a ton of experience to the Jungle Kats. He may play for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, but football is football and he has helped with the transition between the two leagues. Ken Griffey Jr. and Doctor Kremchek are terrific guys. All three guys really want the Jungle Kats to be successful and they are behind the franchise 100%.



Q: You’ve bounced around the country with coaching opportunities from different teams located in Washington, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama and Ohio. What challenges has this created?

A: More than anything, this has made me respect the life of a coach. Depending on where the next coaching opportunity arises, I may have to pick up and relocate every six months. The hardest challenge which I have encountered during all this traveling is leaving my family in Miami, Florida. Leaving my family is the hardest; coaching is a piece of cake compared to that. These zero-degree days in Cincinnati sometimes make me miss warm and sunny Miami. I am hoping to build from the ground up with the Jungle Kats’ owners during this inaugural season and I hope to remain in Cincinnati for a while.



Q: If you could spend an entire day with anyone, who would it be and what would you do?

A: Tiger Woods! I’d like to spend the day on the golf course with Tiger Woods, racking his brain of tips on how I can improve my game. I believe that he’s an individual who is continually trying to get better at what he does. I’d try to learn as much as I could from him and who knows, maybe even improve my handicap.


The Cincinnati Jungle Kats will host the Quad City Steamwheelers in their season opener game Saturday, March 31. Best of luck to Coach Missick and the Cincinnati Jungle Kats in their inaugural season.