Hula Bowl announces AMAZING COACHING Line-Up | Over 500 years of Coaching Experience

The 2023 Hula Bowl has announced its coaching staff and there are over 500 years of coaching experience. Mike Smith will take on Brian Billick for the second year in a row. Smith and Billick have some amazing coaches on their staff this year, with Billick adding former Bills defensive coordinator Ted Cotrell, and Mike Smith adding David Culley the former Texans head coach as his tight ends coach. Check out the coaches and their bios below! This year the Hula Bowl added Special Teams Coach Gary Zauner as well!

Mike Smith (HC): 

Mike Smith spent 36 years as a coach in college football and the NFL. Most notably, Smith spent seven years as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and compiled a 67-50 career record where he earned the Associated Press Coach of the Year award after leading the Falcons to an 11-5 season in 2008 in his first season at the helm. Smith also earned the Sporting News Coach of the Year award three times (2008, 2010, 2012) with the Falcons. In the Falcon’s 2008 season, the Falcon’s offense ranked 10^th in scoring offense (24.4 Pts/G), second in rushing yards per game (152.7) and sixth in total yards per game (361.2)   In Smith’s seven-year stint with Atlanta, he led the Falcons to the playoffs five times, going to the NFC Conference Championship once in the 2012-2013 season. Smith is also Atlanta’s all-time wins leader out of 13 head coaches.

Smith’s first chance as an NFL assistant came with the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2001, he was a defensive assistant focusing on the defensive line. In the Ravens’ Super Bowl XXXV winning season, Smith helped lead the top-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 2.7 yards per carry and 60.6 yards per game. With Smith’s help on the defensive line, Raven’s defense was the best scoring defense in the league allowing only 10.3 points. In the 2002 season, Smith was promoted to linebackers coach. 

Smith saw his first coordinator opportunity from 2003-2007, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. Smith’s best year with the Jaguars came in 2006 when his defense ranked second overall in yards per game (283.6), fourth in points-per-game (17.1), fourth in rushing yards-per-game (91.2) and 10^th in passing yards per game (192.4).

Smith was also the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016-2018.

Before his opportunities in the NFL, Smith had several opportunities at the collegiate level starting as a graduate assistant at San Diego State in 1982. Smith spent three more years at San Diego State before taking a job as the defensive line coaching job at Morehead State in 1986. After a one-year stint with the Eagles, Smith made his way to Tennessee Tech where he spent 11 years as a defensive line coach (1987), special teams coordinator (1988-1995), defensive coordinator (1996-1998) and assistant head coach (1998).

As a player, Smith attended East Tennessee State from 1977-1981 where he played linebacker and earned the defensive MVP twice, including his senior season where he recorded a school-record 186 tackles. Smith received an opportunity to play professionally for a short time in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1982.

A native of Daytona Beach, Fla., and born in Chicago, Ill. on June 13, 1959, Smith is the oldest of eight children. Now, Smith and his wife Julie have one daughter named Logan. Smith is also the brother-in-law of opposing head coach Brian Billick.

Ron Turner (QBs/OC): 

Turner brings 30+ years of offensive coaching experience, including 10 years as a college football head coach. Most notably, Turner was the head coach of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini from 1997 through 2004. His most successful season at Illinois came in 2001 when he coached the team to a 10-2 record with a Big 10 Championship, a Sugar Bowl appearance and finished as the 12th-ranked team in the nation in the final AP Poll. Turner was also named the 2001 Big 10 Coach of the Year. Turner held brief stints with San Jose State (1992) and FIU (2013-1016)

Turner spent 12 years as an offensive assistant in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. 

From 1993 to 1996, Turner served as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Turner’s offense ranked among the top in team history, including the 1994 season with a team completion percentage of 61.4% and in 1995. In 1995, Turner was named the Pro Football Weekly Assistant Coach of the Year. Turner joined the Bears again from 2005-2009 as the offensive coordinator. His offense helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI. In Turner’s eight seasons, the Bears qualified for the playoffs three times.

In Turner’s time two seasons with the Colts, he coached wide receivers (2010) and quarterbacks (2011). Following that, Turner spent one year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the team’s quarterbacks coach.

Turner has spent time as an offensive assistant at seven universities including his alma mater Pacific (1978), Arizona (1979-1980), Northwestern (1981-1982), Pittsburgh (1983-1984), USC (1985-1987), Texas A&M (1988) and Stanford (1989-1991).

In his playing days, he became a second-team junior college All-American at Diablo Valley Community College, which led to his induction into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. After showing his skills, he was offered a scholarship at Pacific and led his team in receiving yards in 1975 and 1976.

Turner and is Wife Wendy have two sons, Morgan and Cameron, and two daughters, Callan and Madison. Turner and Wendy also have two granddaughters, Charliejane and Luella.

Cameron Turner is the co-pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Morgan Turner is the tight ends coach at Stanford.

Tim Lewis (DC): 

Tim Lewis currently serves as the defensive coordinator for the Arlington Renegades in the XFL. Prior to the Renegades, Lewis compiled a 5-3 record as the head coach of the Birmingham Iron in the Alliance of American Football league before the league folded right before the playoffs. 

As a Defensive coordinator in the NFL, Lewis coached for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2000 to 2003 and the New York Giants from 2004-2006.

In 2001, Lewis’s Steeler’s defense ranked as the league’s top rushing defense, allowing just 74.7 yards per game. The team also had the third-best scoring defense in the NFL allowing just 13.3 points per game.

Prior to his defensive coordinator role, Lewis served as the Steelers’ defensive backs coach from 1995-1999. In his first year, Lewis’s secondary helped lead the 11-5 Steelers to Super Bowl XXX. Lewis’s defensive backs accounted for 18 of the team’s 22 interceptions, which ranked third in the league.

In his remaining years as an NFL assistant, Lewis served as the defensive backs coach for the Carolina Panthers (2007-2008), the defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks (2009), the secondary coach for the Atlanta Falcons (2010-2014) and the defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers (2015). 

In 2020, Lewis was the defensive backs coach for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL before the league initially folded.

Lewis coached collegiately for three teams. He got his first start with Texas A&M (1987-1988), then moved on to SMU (1989-1992) and finally at his alma mater Pittsburgh (1993-1994).

As a player, Lewis played from 1980-1982 for the Pittsburgh Panthers. His success with the Panthers allowed Lewis to be selected in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers with the 11th pick in the first round. In his four-year career, Lewis started 42 of his 51 games played and had 16 interceptions, three fumbles and two fumble recoveries, one for a touchdown.

Lewis is a native of Quakertown, Pa

Tony Wise (OL Coach): 

Tony Wise began his coaching career in 1973 at the collegiate and professional levels.

As an NFL offensive line coach, Wise has coached for the Dallas Cowboys (1989-1992), Chicago Bears (1993-1998), Carolina Panthers (1999-2000), Miami Dolphins (2001-2004) and New York Jets (2006-2007). 

Wise’s most successful season came in 1992 as the offensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Wise’s group contributed to a Super Bowl XXVII win and a 13-3 season. In the Cowboys’ Super Bowl-winning season, Wise’s offensive line aided the league’s fourth-best offense. The offensive line allowed just 23 sacks, which ranked second.

At the collegiate level, Wise served as an outside linebackers coach for Albany (1973), an assistant coach for Bridgeport (1974), Central Connecticut State (1975), Washington State (1976), an assistant defensive line coach for Pittsburgh (1977-1978), the offensive line coach for Oklahoma State (1979-1983), Syracuse (1984), Miami (FL) (1985-1988), and Pittsburgh (2008-2010).

During the 1987 season with the Hurricanes, his unit was able to help lead the team to a National Championship with an offense that averaged 34.4 points per game, which ranked sixth nationally.

As a player, Wise played offensive line at Ithaca College. 

Wise is a native of Albany, N.Y.

Gerald Brown (RBs): 

Gerald Brown has seven years of coaching in three professional leagues.

In the NFL, Brown served as the Atlanta Falcons running back coach from 2008 to 2014. In his first season, Brown’s running back core ranked second in rushing yards per game with 152.7. 

At the collegiate level, Brown worked with the Indiana Hoosiers from 2002 to 2008 in several positions. Serving as the running backs coach in his full tenure, Brown also served as the team’s assistant head coach (2006-2008) and the team’s special teams coordinator (2007-2008). 

Outside the NFL, Brown served as the running backs coach for the Memphis Maniax in the XFL and the Birmingham Iron in the AAF.

As a player, Brown played for the Memphis Tigers.

Brown is a native of Sweetwater, Tenn.

David Culley (WRs): 

David Culley has 43 years of coaching experience from the FCS levels to the NFL. 

Most recently, Culley served as the head coach of the Houston Texans for the 2021 season. Before his stint with the Texans, Culley spent 26 years as an NFL assistant with six different NFL teams.

Culley’s longest stint came with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 to 2012 serving as the team’s wide receivers coach along with a senior offensive assistant role in his final two seasons. Culley’s best season with the Eagles came in 2004 when the team went 13-3 with a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX. Culley’s unit helped a top-10 offense account for 32 receiving touchdowns, which ranked fourth, and 3,979 passing yards, which ranked seventh.

Culley also spent time as a wide receiver’s coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-1995), Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-1998), and Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2016), along with an assistant head coach role, the quarterbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills (2017-2018), and the assistant head coach, wide receivers and passing game coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens (2019-2020).

Before the NFL, Culley spent 15 years as an assistant at the collegiate level. Culley got his first start as a running backs coach for Austin Peay in 1978. After a stint with the Governors, Culley coached wide receivers at his alma mater, Vanderbilt, from 1979-1981. Followed by his years with Vanderbilt, Culley spent time with Middle Tennessee State (1982) as the quarterbacks and running backs coach, Chattanooga (1983) as the wide receivers coach, Southwestern Louisiana (1985-1988) as the quarterbacks coach, UTEP (1989-1990) as the offensive coordinator, running backs and wide receivers coach, and Texas A&M (1991-1993) as the team’s wide receivers coach.

Culley attended Vanderbilt from 1973-1977. In his time at Vanderbilt, Culley played quarterback, becoming the first black quarterback in program history. 

Culley is a native of Sparta, Tenn.

Ray Hamilton (Defensive Line): 

Ray Hamilton spent 29 years coaching the defensive line at both the collegiate and professional levels.

In his 29 years, Hamilton spent 26 of them in the NFL. Hamilton’s first start came with the New England Patriots as an assistant defensive line coach from 1985 to 1989. Hamilton had another stint with the Patriots as the team’s defensive line coach from 1998-1999. Hamilton spent time with six other NFL teams as the defensive line coach including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1991), Las Vegas Raiders (1993-1994), New York Jets (1995-1997, 2000), Cleveland Browns (2001-2002), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-2007), and the Atlanta Falcons (2008-2013). 

Several of Hamilton’s defensive fronts remained at the top of the league. For example, in Hamilton’s first season with the Cleveland Browns, the team ranked fourth in the NFL in sacks with 43. In Hamilton’s 1998 season with the Jets, the team’s defense ranked seventh in the league with 36 sacks.

Hamilton also spent time with the Birmingham Iron in 2019 as the team’s defensive line coach.

At the collegiate level, Hamilton spent one year with the Tennessee Volunteers in 1992.

As a player, Hamilton was a two-time All-Big-8 defensive lineman in 1971 and 1972. Hamilton was then taken in the 1973 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. In his nine-year career with the team, Hamilton started 117 out of 132 games and recorded 53.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 14 fumble recoveries. Hamilton was named to the Patriots All 1970s team.

Hamilton is a native of Omaha, Neb.

Glenn Pires (Linebackers): 

Glenn Pires has 35 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels.

At the professional level, Pires spent 23 years with five NFL teams. Glenn has worked with the Arizona Cardinals (1996-2000) and Detroit Lions (2001-2002) as a linebackers coach. Pires then spent time with the Miami Dolphins from 2003-2007 as an assistant defensive line, quality control and assistant linebackers coach. Pires served as the Atlanta Falcons’ linebackers coach from 2008-2014 before finishing his career with the Chicago Bears from 2015-2018 as the team’s linebackers coach.

Pires saw success in his linebackers coaching role with the Dolphins, Falcons and Bears. His best season came with the Dolphins in 2003 where the team’s defense ranked third in the NFL overall. The 2003 Dolphins’ defense ranked third in sacks, sixth in tackles-for-loss and fifth in rushing yards per game. With the Falcons, Pires’s best seasons came in 2010 and 2012 when the Falcons’ defense ranked in the top five overall. Pires’s best season came with the Bears in 2018 when the 12-4 Bears had the best defense in the NFL. Pires linebacker core had 23.5 of the team’s league third-best 50 sacks. The Bears’ rushing defense was the best in the NFL allowing just 80 yards per game and five touchdowns all season

At the collegiate level, Pires spent time as an assistant coach for Syracuse (1983-1984, 1989-1994), Dartmouth (1985-1988) and Michigan State (1995).

Pires attended and played the offensive line at Springfield College.

Pires is a native of New Bedford, Mass.

Andrew Weidinger (Defensive Backs): 

Andrew Weidinger currently serves as the offensive coordinator for the Rhein Fire in the European League of Football. 

Weidinger served as an offensive assistant in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons from 2007 to 2014 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015 to 2018. 

At the collegiate level, Weidinger served as a student assistant, graduate assistant and assistant director of football operations with his alma mater, Arizona.

Beyond the NFL, Weidinger served as the running backs coach for the Arizona Hotshots in the AAF in 2019. Weidinger also served as the head coach for the Barcelona Dragons in 2022, going 8-4.

Weidinger is a native of Phoenix, Ariz. 

Brian Billick (HC): 

Billick, who currently serves as an offensive analyst for Arizona State, has a 31-year resume with nine years of NFL head coaching experience with the Baltimore Ravens. From 1999-2007, Billick compiled an 85-67 career record including a Super Bowl XXXV win as the second head coach in Ravens history. Billick’s win in Super Bowl XXXV marked the fourth time in NFL history that a second-year head coach won a Super Bowl. In Billick’s time with the Ravens, he coached several players to post-season awards including Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed along with Terrell Suggs and Jamal Lewis.

As an assistant in the NFL, Billick spent time with the Minnesota Vikings from 1992-1998. After Billick served as the team’s tight ends coach from 1992-1993, Billick was promoted to offensive coordinator until the end of his tenure. Billick’s offense ranked in the top 10 statistically in four of the five years he led the offense. Most notably, the 15-1 Minnesota Vikings in his last season in Minnesota ranked as one of the best offenses in the NFL in several categories including first in total passing yards (4,328) and passing touchdowns (41), 11th in total rushing yards (1,936) and eighth in total rushing touchdowns (17). Billick’s offense helped the success of then-rookie receiver Randy Moss to achieve the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, an All-Pro selection and a Pro-Bowl selection.

Before Billick’s NFL success, he had several stops in college football. From 1977-1978, Billick volunteered as a wide receivers coach at the University of Redlands before taking a graduate assistant position at his alma mater BYU in 1978. Billick moved on to San Diego State as the tight ends coach from 1981-1985. Billick made his way back to Utah but to Utah State, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator from 1986-1988. On his final stop before heading to the NFL, Billick served as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach at Stanford from 1989-1991.

As a player, Billick spent his first collegiate season at the United States Air Force Academy where he played linebacker. Billick later transferred to BYU as a tight end where he received All-Western Athletic Conference honors in 1976. Billick was also an All-American honorable mention. After college, Billick was selected in the 1977 NFL Draft with the 295th pick in the 11th round by the San Francisco 49ers. He had a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Billick resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Kim. They have two daughters named Aubrey and Keegan. Billick is the brother-in-law of opposing head coach Mike Smith.

Ted Cottrell (DC): 

Ted Cottrell has been coaching since 1973 and has coached in five different professional leagues. As a defensive coordinator, he has Cottrell has coached for four different NFL teams.

As a defensive coordinator in the NFL, Cottrell has coached for the Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), New York Jets (2001-2003), Minnesota Vikings (2004-2005) and the Los Angeles Chargers. (2007-2008). 

Cottrell spent most of his career with the Bills as a defensive line coach (1986-1989), linebackers coach (1995-1997) and finally moving on to become the defensive coordinator. Cottrell has been known as an innovator of the 3-4 defensive scheme during his time in Buffalo. 

Followed by a stint with the Jets, Cottrell joined the Vikings where in his first season, the Vikings ranked in the top five in the NFL in takeaways with a win in the Wild Card round against the Green Bay Packers. In Cottrell’s first season with the Chargers, his defense led the NFL in total takeaways with 48 total including 30 interceptions, and a defensive passing rating of 70.0, the first time in team history leading the league in these categories.

Beyond the NFL, Cotrell also spent time with the USFL as the New Jersey Generals defensive line coach (1984-1985), the UFL as the head coach for the New York Sentinels (2009), the AAF as the Birmingham Iron’s linebackers coach (2019) and the XFL as the Houston Roughnecks’ defensive coordinator (2020).

Along with being a defensive line and linebackers coach for the Bills, Cottrell spent time as the Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach (1981-1982) and the Arizona Cardinals (1990-1994).

At the collegiate level, Cottrell served as the defensive line coach (1973-1979) and the defensive coordinator (1980) for Rutgers.

As a player, Cottrell attended Deleware Valley where he played from 1965-1968 where he played linebacker. Cottrell was taken in the seventh round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons where he became the first black linebacker in team history. Cottrell played two seasons for the Falcons and finished out his playing career in 1971 for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL.

Cottrell is a native of Chester, Pa.

Scott Phillips (Quarterbacks): 

Scott Phillips currently serves as an offensive quality control coach for Toledo.

Phillips previously served as the assistant director of scouting for the Hula Bowl during the 2021-2022 college football season.

Phillips attended Ohio State and graduated in 2005.

Mike Tice (Offensive line): 

Mike Tice spent 21 years in the NFL coaching world.

Tice previously served as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2002 to 2005. In the teams’ 2004 season, the Vikings went 8-8 and were able to make it to the divisional round of the playoffs.  

As an offensive coordinator, Tice spent the 2012 season with the Chicago Bears.

As an assistant, Tice spent time with the Vikings as the teams’ tight ends coach in 1996, the offensive line coach from 1997 to 2001, and the teams’ interim head coach in 2001. After his head coaching stint with the Vikings, Tice served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ assistant head coach in 2006 and expanded his role to tight ends coach from 2007 to 2009. Before his time as offensive coordinator with the Bears, Tice served as the offensive line coach for the team from 2010 to 2011. After his time as offensive coordinator, Tice spent time as the offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 2014. Tice closed out his coaching career as the offensive line coach from 2015 to 2017 for the Las Vegas Raiders.

As a player, Tice played quarterback at Maryland. Although he went undrafted, Tice played tight end 14 years in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks (1981-1988, 1990-1991), Washington Commanders (1989), and the Vikings (1992-1995). In his playing career, tice started 110 games out of 117 and brought in 894 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Tice is a native of Bay Shore, N.Y.

Larry Kirksey (Running Backs): 

Kirksey currently serves as the running backs coach for the Birmingham Stallions, who won the 2022 USFL Championship. Kirksey has 41 years as a coach at the professional and collegiate levels. 

As an assistant in the NFL, Kirksey spent time with the San Francisco 49ers as a wide receivers coach (1994-1999), Detroit Lions as a wide receivers coach (2001-2002), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003) as a wide receivers coach, an assistant special teams coach for the Denver Broncos (2004) and a wide receivers coach for the Houston Texans (2007-2013).

During Kirksey’s first season in San Francisco, the 13-3 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX. Kirksey’s wide receiver core contributed to a high-threat offense that ranked first in receiving touchdowns with 37, fourth in yards-per-game with 260.2 and fourth in passing yards with 4,163.

As the wide receivers coach of the Texans, Kirksey’s best finish with the team came in 2012 when the team finished 12-4. Kirksey’s wide receiving core ranked 11th in passing yards with 3,830, 11th in yards-per-game with 236.9 and ninth in the league in completion percentage with 63.9%. 

At the collegiate level, Kirksley started off at Miami (OH) where he held roles as the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends coach (1974-1976). Kirksey then served as the wide receivers and tight ends coach at Kentucky (1977-1981) and Kansas (1982). For the next nine years, Kirksey spent time as the running backs coach for Florida (1984-1988), Pittsburgh (1989) and Alabama (1990-1993).  

As a player, Kirksley played wide receiver at Eastern Kentucky. In his time with the Colonels, Kirksey was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter. 

Kirksey is a native of Harlan, Ky.

Kevin Sumlin (Wide Receivers): 

Kevin Sumlin is currently the head coach of the Houston Gamblers in the XFL but has 31 years of collegiate coaching experience. 

With a 95-63 overall record, Sumlin has been the head coach at Houston (2008-2011), Texas A&M (2012-2017) and Arizona (2018-2020). 

In his first head coaching stint, Sumlin had a 35-17 overall record. In 2011, Sumlin helped lead to a 12-1 season reaching as high as seventh in the AP Poll. Sumlin’s Cougars finished 18th in the poll. Sumlin was named Conference USA Coach of the year in 2009 and 2011. 

In Sumlin’s first season at Texas A&M, the Aggies finished with a 12-2 record with a win in the Cotton Bowl. The Aggies finished fifth in the AP Poll and Sumlin received the honor of SEC Coach of the Year. In Sumlin’s six seasons, he compiled a 51-26 record.

As an assistant, Sumlin spent time with six teams over the course of 18 years. Sumlin got his start as a graduate assistant for Washington State from 1989 to 1990. From 1991 to 1992, Sumlin served as Wyoming’s wide receivers coach. From 1993 to 1996, Sumlin served as Minnesota’s wide receivers coach before moving to coach the Golden Gophers’ quarterbacks in 1997. From 2001 to 2002, Sumlin’s first stint came with Texas A&M serving in several roles as assistant head coach, wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator. From 2003 to 2007, Sumlin held several roles with Oklahoma as a co-offensive coordinator and tight ends, special teams and wide receivers coach. 

As a player, Sumlin played linebacker at Purdue and was a four-year starter. In his freshman season, Sumlin led the team in tackles with 91. 

Sumlin is a native of Brewton, Ala.

John Tice (Tight Ends): 

John Tice has nine years of coaching experience at the professional and collegiate level.

Last serving as the offensive line coach for the New York Sentinels in the UFL, Tice was an offensive assistant for the Minnesota Vikings in 1999 before serving as the tight ends coach from 2000 to 2005. 

At the collegiate level, Tice served as the offensive line coach for Army from 2007 to 2008.

As a player, Tice played tight end collegiately at Mayland before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1983 NFL Draft in the third round with the 65th pick. In Tice’s 10-year NFL career, he started 57 games out of 134 played. Tice brought in 158 catches, 1,603 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Tice is a native of Bay Shore, N.Y.

Jim Tomsula (Defensive Line): 

Jim Tomsula is the current head coach of the Rhein Fire in the European League of Football.

Tomsula held the head coaching position for the San Francisco 49ers in 2015. As an NFL assistant, Tomsula served with the 49ers for nine years as a defensive line coach and interim head coach. Tomsula also served as the defensive line coach for the Washington Commanders (2017-2019) and the Dallas Cowboys (2020). 

Tomsula spent time as an assistant and head coach internationally in the NFL Europe league with the London Monarchs as a defensive line coach (1998), the Scottish Claymores (1999-2003), the Berlin Thunder as a defensive coordinator, and the Rhein Fire as a head coach (2006).

Collegiately, Tomsula was an assistant coach at Charleston Southern (1992-1996) and the defensive line/strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater Catawba College (1989, 1997-2005).

As a player, Tomsula played defensive line at Middle Tennessee State before transferring to Catawba College. 

Tomsula is a native of Homestead, Penn.

Bill Bradley (Linebackers): 

Bradley brings defensive coaching experience in several leagues including the CFL, USFL and NFL.

As a defensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts from 1996 to 1997, Bradley’s defense helped push the Argonauts to Grey Cups in both seasons. In the CFL, Bradley also served as the defensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders (1988-1990), San Antonio Texans (1993-1994) and the Sacramento Gold Miners (1994-1995).

At the USFL level, Bradley served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Gunslingers (1983-1984) and Memphis Showboats (1985).

Bradley spent eight years as an NFL assistant for three NFL teams. Bradley’s first NFL stint came with the Buffalo Bills as the defensive backs coach (1998-2000). After his time with the Bills, Bradley served as the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets (2001-2003) and the secondary coach for San Diego Chargers (2007-2008).

Collegiately, Bradley spent time with his alma mater Texas as a volunteer assistant (1987), the defensive coordinator at Baylor (2004-2006) and as a defensive coordinator for the Lamar Cardinals (2012-2014).

Bradley has also spent time with the San Antonio Commanders as the defensive backs coach (2019) in the AAF and the secondary coach for the Florida Tuskers (2009-2010) in the UFL.

As a player with the Texas Longhorns, Bradley played quarterback, punter and defensive back. Bradley holds two school records for the longest punt in a bowl game (74 yards) and most interceptions caught in a game (4). After his collegiate career, Bradley was drafted in the third round of the 1969 NFL draft with the 69th pick as a defensive back and punter by the Philadelphia Eagles. In his first season, Bradley was named AP Defensive Player of the Year. In his six years with the Eagles, Bradley was named an All-Pro twice (1971,1972) and received Pro Bowl honors three times (1971-1973). Bradley led the NFL in interceptions in 1971 with 11 and in 1972 with nine. Bradley was named to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 1993.

Bradley played one year for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977.

Bradley is a native of Palestine, Texas.

Carnell Lake (Defensive Backs): 

Carnell Lake currently serves as the defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL. 

Before the Bandits, Lake served as the defensive backs coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2011 to 2017.

As a player, Lake attended UCLA from 1985 to 1988 where he played linebacker. In his collegiate career, Lake finished with 45.5 tackles for loss and 25.5 sacks. In the 1989 NFL Draft, Lake was taken in the second round with the 34th overall pick. Lake spent 10 years where he started all 154 played games and collected 823 tackles, 21.5 sacks and 16 interceptions with three returned for touchdowns.

As a member of the Steelers, Lake was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team, First-team All-Pro once in 1997, Second-team All-Pro four times (1992, 1994, 1995, 1999), named to the Pro Bowl five times (1994-1997, 1999) and to the NFL 1990s All-Decade team. The Steelers named Lake to their All-Time team and to the Hall of Honor.

Lake also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1999-2000) and Baltimore Ravens (2001).

Lake is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gary Zauner (Special Teams)

Coach Gary Zauner is one of the most well-respected special teams coaches in the country and we are pumped to have him helping with the 2023 Hula Bowl in In Orlando. Zauner’s coaching career began at Brigham Young University in 1979 under Head Coach LaVell Edwards. In his two years, punter/tight end, Clay Brown – led the nation in punting average , plus the kickoff return team led the nation in return average. Zauner, also, recruited punter/kicker Lee Johnson, a fifth-round draft choice by Houston in ‘85.

Zauner spent time as a punter at training camps of the Vikings (‘73) and the Houston Oilers (‘74). He lettered in football and baseball at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education (double major) and master’s degree in physical education. Gary graduated from Milwaukee Hamilton High School (Milwaukee, WI).

Gary, currently resides in Fountain Hills, Arizona with his wife Michelle.