From 2005 Article....
Derek Stingley
Head Coach and Director of Football Operations
Biography
Derek Stingley enters his first full season as head coach of the Macon Knights after being promoted to the position following the sixth game of the 2005 season. Stingley joined the Knights for the 2005 season as the defensive coordinator, which was his first Arena Football coaching position. Under Stingley’s guidance, the team turned their 2-4 record around and finished with a mark of 8-8. Stingley brought the Knights Organization back to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2004 for the first time in team history. The Knights lost in the first round of the playoffs in the last seconds to the eventual American Conference Champions, Louisville Fire. Stingley, in his eight years as a player in the AFL, enjoyed a very impressive career and also received many accolades. In 1999, he played with the Albany Firebirds as they captured the ArenaBowl Championship and he garnered All-AFL honors that same year. Stingley also ranks ninth among the AFL’s All-Time leading tacklers (443.5) and is fifth on the All-Time list for pass breakups (110). In addition to his professional football career, Stingley also played collegiate baseball at Purdue University. In 1993, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies Organization as a center fielder and remained with the organization until 1995. Stingley originally from Chicago, Illinois, now resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with his wife Natasha and children Isis, Nahja, Derek Jr. and Sanaa.
