Cokinos Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Vipers

Huntsville, AL- The Tennessee Valley Vipers, fresh off their first af2 ArenaCup Championship, have announced that Head Coach Dean Cokinos has agreed to a new two-year contract with the Vipers. Cokinos, in his first season with the Vipers, led the team to a 56-55 overtime win over the Spokane Shock to claim the af2 title. "We are delighted to know that Dean will be leading the Vipers in the coming seasons." , said Vipers majority owner Doug MacGregor. "His leadership and coaching ability speak for themselves in the single word "Champion"."

Last season the Vipers finished the regular season 10-6 and secured a #4 seed in the American Conference Playoffs before advancing past Florida, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and Manchester, before defeating the Shock in the ArenaCup on August 25th.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to be part of the ongoing process of building the Vipers for long term success." , said Cokinos. "The support from our community and fan base, as well as the local media has been tremendous. I love Huntsville and I am looking forward to re-starting things for the 2009 season."

Prior to becoming the Vipers sixth head coach last season, Cokinos spent time as the head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in 2003 and the San Angelo Stampede (IFL) in 2004. He then moved on to the Nashville Kats (AFL) as an offensive assistant and personnel coordinator during the 2005 season and took over as offensive coordinator for the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

He has also coached at the collegiate level at Umass-Boston (1990), Austin Peay University (1991), and served as defensive backs coach at West Alabama (formerly Livingston University) in 1992. There he coached current Arizona Rattlers and former Vipers head coach Kevin Guy and former Vipers assistant coach Marty Hammond. Cokinos also spent time coaching in the NFL Europe.

The Vipers are currently accepting season ticket renewals until Wednesday, October 15th. Those seats that are not renewed will be available to the public on Thursday, October 16th at 8:30am. To purchase Vipers season tickets for the 2009 season, please contact the Vipers office at 256-428-HISS (4477). For more information on the Vipers, please visit their website at www.vipersaf2.com.