| Kansas City Command | |
|---|---|
| |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Head coach | Danton Barto |
| Home arena | Kemper Arena 2006–2007 Sprint Center 2008–present |
| City, State | [[Kansas City, Missouri]] |
| ArenaCup championships | None |
The Kansas City Command (formerly the Kansas City Brigade) is a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. The team was founded before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs Strong safety Kevin Porter served as head coach. The team's new head coach starting in 2011 is Danton Barto, he has coached the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators, af2's Memphis Xplorers and Manchester Wolves, and the IFL's Arkansas Diamonds.
The team played at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri and later moved to the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City for the 2008 AFL season. The team is owned by a Kansas City local, Chris Likens. One of the most notable co-owners is former Kansas City Chiefs star Neil Smith. Captain Max Runway[1] was named the mascot of the team in June 2007.
History[]
After the announcement that the New Orleans VooDoo would suspend operations for the 2006 AFL season due to Hurricane Katrina, the AFL awarded an expansion franchise to Kansas City. On November 21, 2005, the AFL announced that the team would be called the Kansas City Brigade. A stealth bomber, modeled after the B-2 Spirits stationed at nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, would represent the team for its logo. Kevin Porter was named the team's first head coach. They would be placed in the National Conference Southern Division, where they would take New Orleans' spot for the year.
2006 season[]
On February 19, 2006, after losing their very first three games of their inaugural season, the Brigade finally had their first victory 45–24 at home against the Columbus Destroyers. On April 9, 2006, after losing six-straight games, the Brigade finally managed their second win, defeating the Los Angeles Avengers 62–45 at home. On April 22, 2006, the Brigade recorded their first road win in franchise history against the Nashville Kats, winning 58–52. By the end of the 2006 season, the Brigade finished with a record of 3–13, placing them fifth in the National Conference Southern Division.
2007 season[]
With the New Orleans VooDoo returning to the league's National Conference Southern in 2007, the Brigade switched conferences and divisions, as they moved to the American Conference Central.
On March 4, 2007, in their home-opener, the Brigade defeated the defending Arena Bowl champion Chicago Rush 54–41. The game was broadcast nationally on ABC. The win marked the first time in franchise history that the Brigade were above .500 for the season.
On June 8, the Brigade clinched their first-ever playoff berth with a 47–34 victory over the Columbus Destroyers.
The Brigade finished the regular season with a 10–6 record. While earning the American Conference's #3 seed, the Brigade hosted their first playoff game on June 30, a wild-card matchup, with the American Conference's #6 seed, the Colorado Crush. Unfortunately for the Brigade, they were plagued by injuries and the Crush won 49–42, despite Colorado coming into the game with a 4-game losing streak.
2008 season[]
The 2008 season saw the longest field goal in franchise history (58 yards by Peter Martinez).[2]
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Quincy Carter, was named the starter on June 3, 2008. Carter lost all three of his starts. Quarterback D. Bryant was named to the AFL's 2008 All-Rookie Team.[3]
2011 season[]
Kansas City returned for the 2011 AFL season and renamed the Kansas City Command [4]. The logo and color scheme remain the same and home games are still played at the Sprint Center in the heart of Kansas City. The Command went 0–3 to start the 2011 AFL season but bounced back with a win in their first home game against National Conference Central Division rival Iowa Barnstormers. [5].
Kansas City will have two Friday night games broadcast live on NFL Network. The first against Chicago on April 22nd and another against Utah June 24th [6]
JJ Raterink has lead the Command into the season as Quarterback. He studied business at the University of Wyoming and has 2 years AFL experience under his arm. His top targets thus far have been Bret Smith from the University of Tennessee and Steven Savoy from the University of Utah [7].
The Command is currently part of the AFL's National Conference in the Central Division with the Chicago Rush, Dallas Vigilantes, Iowa Barnstormers, and Tulsa Talons [8].
Coaches[]
| Head coach | Tenure | Regular season record (W–L) |
Post season record (W–L) |
Most recent coaching staff |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Porter | 2006–2008 | 16–32 | 0–1 | OC: Ricky Fogge DC: Vacant DL Coach: Otis Moore OL coach: Travis Crusenberry |
Season-by-season[]
Notable players[]
- Charles Frederick - WR - 2007 AFL Co-Rookie of the Year
- Quincy Carter - QB
- Michael Horacek - WR
- Chris Avery - FB/LB
- John Fitzgerald - QB
- Boo Williams - WR
- Raymond Philyaw - QB
- B. J. Cohen - DL
- Kenny McEntyre - DB
- Michael Bishop - QB
- Chris Sanders - QB
- Aaron Boone - WR
Retired numbers[]
- #90 Neil Smith, team co-owner and former NFL Defensive end.