COACH FULLER ANNOUNCES 2021 COACHING STAFF

Johnson’s Return Has Sharks Lining Up For Another Championship

JACKSONVILLE –  The Jacksonville Sharks have announced their coaching staff for the upcoming 2021 season. The Sharks will be led by Head Coach James Fuller as he enters his fourth year in the National Arena League but first season as the head coach of the Jacksonville Sharks. After winning the NAL Championship in 2019 the Sharks have now set their sights on winning their third overall NAL title in the last 5 years. The Sharks have a big target on their backs for this season as everyone is aiming to beat the defending National Arena League champs. Here is Coach Fuller’s 2021 coaching staff. 

Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator: Lee Johnson - Johnson, served as the assistant head coach and line coach last season. This season coach Johnson has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator while remaining the team’s Assistant Head Coach now under James Fuller. Coach Johnson has 20 years of experience in the Canadian Football League and multiple arena leagues. Under Coach Johnson’s watch the Sharks built offensive and defensive lines that allowed Jacksonville to finish first in total points scored (805) during the regular season averaging 57.5 points a game. Even more impressive was the specific stats in the trenches as Coach Johnson’s offensive linemen allowed only 11 sacks all year, the fewest in the NAL, while his defensive line amassed 40 sacks which was the most in the league. The return of Coach Fuller and Coach Johnson gives the Sharks a favorable stance moving into the 2021 season as the league’s front runners for another title. As a player, Coach Johnson played in the NFL with the Washington Redskins as well as a number of teams in the CFL and AFL.

Special Teams Coach / Player Personnel: Charlie Hunt - Hunt returns for his second year of coaching with the Sharks, he helped the Sharks to their second NAL title as the team’s Special Team Coordinator and Director of Player Personnel. This season, coach Hunt will remain as the team’s special teams coordinator. As a player, he won an ArenaBowl and a NAL Championship with the Sharks as a JLB / WR. He also earned First Team All-NAL JLB honors and was the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year.

Director of Football Operations: Mike Owens - Owens enters his eighth season with Sharks. He was the team’s equipment manager for the 2014, 2015 and 2019 seasons. Owens started with the Sharks during their inaugural season where he was the team’s football video coordinator from 2010-2013. Owens also served as the team's assistant director of football operations last season. This season as the director of football operations Owens will be in charge of quality control for both equipment and personnel. 

ABOUT THE JACKSONVILLE SHARKS    

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all of their home games at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Shark Nation Memberships for the 2021 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700 or email info@jaxsharks.com . Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks.