LEE JOHNSON
Coach Johnson is in his second season as the San Antonio Talons head coach. Johnson began his coaching career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, serving as defensive line coach in 1997 before being promoted to defensive coordinator the following season. He gained NFL coaching experience with an internship for the Denver Broncos in 2002 under then-defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and defensive line coach Jacob Burney. He served as the defensive line coach for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe in 2001-02, helping guide the team to two World Bowl titles.
Johnson started his Arena Football League coaching career in 2000 as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Cobras in their inaugural season. From 2003-06, Johnson was on the coaching staff of the Colorado Crush. He was originally named defensive coordinator and spent his final three seasons with the Crush as special teams/line coach. He spent the 2007 season as defensive coordinator of the Austin Wranglers. Johnson was the line coach with the Cleveland Gladiators in 2008. Under his guidance, the offensive line paved the way for fullback Marlion Jackson to rush a league-leading 356 yards and tied for the league lead with 23 rushing touchdowns. Last season, he was the line coach under current Chicago Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee with the AF2’s Peoria Pirates.
Prior to his coaching career, Johnson had a playing career spread across the NFL, World League, CFL, and AFL. Johnson was member of the Washington Redskins when they won the Super Bowl in 1991. Most of his success as a player came in the AFL. Johnson played three seasons split between the Tampa Bay Storm and Charlotte Rage.
Ray Philyaw
Raymond 'Ray' Philyaw (born July 30, 1974 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is a former arena football quarterback of the Arena Football League who now the offensive coordinator for the Talons. He also played for the Cleveland Gladiators Chicago Rush, Kansas City Brigade, Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings and the Albany/Indiana Firebirds, leading the former to the American Conference championship game in 2004 and 2005. Prior to his Arena Football career, he played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League and the Madison Mad Dogs of the Indoor Football League. He holds the record for the highest career TD-to-INT ratio in AFL history and threw a school record 52 TDs while attending Louisiana-Monroe. Married to Christine Philyaw and have a son, Lincoln Philyaw (6 years old).
Mike Brown
Michael Browns serves as the Talons defensive coordinator after enjoying a decorated nine-year playing career in the Arena Football League. Brown strives to build a defensive unit that dominates the opposition without mercy and prides itself on toughness, both in a mental and physical capacity. He instills in his players the belief that they must be willing to sacrifice and “lay it on the line” for their teammates on and off the field.
Following a standout career as a defensive back at Charleston Southern University, Brown played two seasons with the Charleston Swamp Foxes of the af2 (2002-03) before beginning his AFL career. He joined the Orlando Predators from 2004-05 and in his first two seasons, collected 50.0 tackles, four pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one safety. He also gained 284 yards with two touchdowns on 22 receptions and added 67 yards with six more scores on 20 rushing attempts.
Brown concluded his playing career in the AFL with impressive numbers, as he tallied 314.0 tackles, 27 interceptions, 25 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Offensively, he collected 1,468 yards and 18 touchdowns on 118 receptions while adding 170 yards and 11 scores on 58 carries. Brown also posted 3,457 yards and six touchdowns on 180 kickoff returns.
Off the field, Brown enjoys spending time with his wife, Demetria, and their son, Michael Brown, Jr.
Equipment Manager
Tom Dillard
Video Coordinator
Brian Campbell
