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Shawn Liotta

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Shawn Liotta
Wilkes-Barre Arena Football Team
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1980-07-11) July 11, 1980 (age 44)
Springdale, Pennsylvania
Career information
High school:Springdale (PA)
College:Robert Morris
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • NCAA D-IAA Mid Major National Championship (2003)
  • 2× Coach of the Year (2012, 2013)
  • 2× CIFL Champion (2013, 2014)
Head coaching record
Career:67–35 (.657)

Shawn Liotta (born July 11, 1980) is currently the Head Coach of the Arena Football One team in Wilkes-Barre, PA[1], and is the author of the book "No Huddle No Mercy"[2][3] which details his record setting offensive system[4][5][6] that has been used by football programs around the world.[7][8] Since 2018 Liotta has served as the Head Football Coach at Burrell High School[9][10]

Liotta is also currently serving as the director of coaching for Fan Controlled Football,[11][12] a professional football league launching in 2021.[13][14] Liotta has also served as an offensive coordinator in the USA Football, US National Team Program, leading the US Under 18 National Team to a win over Canada in the 2020 International Bowl.[15]

Liotta was previously an indoor football head coach who most recently coached the Erie Explosion. Over his 9 seasons as a head coach at the professional indoor level, Liotta has established himself as a consistent winner and producer high scoring offensive units as evidenced by his team establishing 26 league and national records. Following the conclusion of the 2014 season, Liotta holds a 76% win percentage (58-19) during his tenure in Erie and has led his teams to 7 playoff berths in 8 seasons. Liotta holds a (35-5) record at the Erie Insurance Arena, and his teams have finished as the number one ranked offense in three different professional indoor leagues. For his accomplishments at the indoor level, Liotta has twice been named Coach of the Year and in 2007 was selected to coach the AIFA All-Star Game held in Florence, SC.

Early life

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Liotta is a 2002 graduate of Robert Morris University with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management.[16]

Coaching career

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Duquesne University

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Liotta gained experience at the college level as the running backs coach at Duquesne University where he was a part of the Dukes 2003 NCAA Division IAA- Mid Major National Championship under head coach Greg Gattuso.[17] Liotta has served as a coach at the Professional, Collegiate, and High School level including serving as a head or assistant coach at every level of high school football in the State of Pennsylvania.[18]

Erie Professional Indoor Football

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Liotta was hired as the head coach of the Pittsburgh RiverRats in 2007. In 2008, the franchise moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, and Liotta remained with the franchise.[19] In 2009, Liotta left Erie to join the Wheeling Wildcats.[16] Liotta returned to Erie in 2010. In 2011, Liotta coached quarterback, Adam DiMichele to an MVP season in the Southern Indoor Football League,[20] as well as a Northeast Division title.[21] After leading the Explosion to the UIFL North title game in 2012, Liotta was named the 2012 UIFL Coach of the Year.[22] Liotta re-signed for the 2012 season.[23] In 2012 Liotta authored a book titled Developing and Maintaining a Successful Professional Indoor Football Program. In 2013 Liotta led the Explosion to a perfect (12-0) record[24] and the 2013 CIFL Championship.[25] The Explosion finished with the league's top ranked offensive and defensive unit and Liotta was named the 2013 CIFL Coach of the Year.[26] The 2013 season marked the 3rd consecutive year that Erie finished with the league's top overall offense with a different first year starter at quarterback. His brother Jeremy Liotta coordinated the defense which also finished as the league's top defense overall. In 2014 despite a large roster turnover, Liotta led the Explosion to a regular season record of 9-2. The Explosion would have to travel to Saginaw Michigan to take on the Sting, setting up a rematch of the 2013 CIFL Championship game. Erie would go on to blow out the Sting 46-15, earning the right to defend their championship against the Marion Blue Racers. The Explosion would prove to be too much for the Racers, defeating them 38-26, capturing the league championship for the 2nd year in a row.[27] The Explosion would not fare as well in 2015 with their move to the Professional Indoor Football League, only winning one league game in their only season in that league; the Explosion folded after losing its medical sponsorship after the 2015 season.[28]

Project FANchise / FCF

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In 2016 Liotta began working with Project FANchise to educate fans on the ins and outs of professional indoor/arena football.[29] Liotta created instructional content that was used across all platforms for the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles who competed in the IFL in 2017. Liotta's instructional materials that were featured in Sports Illustrated[30][31][32][33] were used not only in building the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles franchise but also by fans around the world.

Liotta remained with Project FANchise as it transitioned to the Fan Controlled Football league in 2021, bringing on one of his mentors, John Jenkins.[34]

Wheeling Miners

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Liotta signed on as offensive coordinator for the Wheeling Miners of the National Arena League prior to the start of the 2025 NAL season, returning Liotta to Wheeling 16 years after his stint with the Wildcats.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "Wilkes-Barre Arena Football".
  2. ^ "Burrell football coach Shawn Liotta authors 'No Huddle, No Mercy' | Trib HSSN | Trib HSSN". March 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "No Huddle No Mercy: A Complete Guide To Installing The No Huddle Offense". www.amazon.com. February 9, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  4. ^ "Welcome".
  5. ^ "Run vs. Pass: Fast-paced, high-scoring offenses finding a home in Alle-Kiski Valley | Trib HSSN | Trib HSSN". September 5, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  6. ^ "Q & A With Shawn Liotta, Architect of the No-Huddle, No Mercy Offense". www.americanfootballmonthly.com.
  7. ^ "Virtual reality: Western Pa. coaching clinics move to web | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. May 7, 2020.
  8. ^ Samuels, Doug (March 23, 2020). "Adding a versatile choice route package to any offense - Shawn Liotta | Burrell HS (PA) | Head Coach".
  9. ^ "Burrell hires Shawn Liotta as football coach | Trib HSSN | Trib HSSN". April 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Liotta named Steelers Coach of the Week". www.steelers.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Digital Exclusive: Fan Controlled Football". January 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "Fan Controlled Football is where FANS call the shots". FCF.
  13. ^ "Are you ready for some (fan-controlled) football?". Washington Post.
  14. ^ "Fan Controlled Football is where FANS call the shots".
  15. ^ "Burrell football coach Shawn Liotta leads national team to International Bowl win | Trib HSSN | Trib HSSN". January 24, 2020.
  16. ^ a b John Dudley (May 6, 2012). "John Dudley: Explosion coach fine with shining in Erie". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  17. ^ "Liotta Named Head Coach At Line Mountain High School". Duquesne University Athletics.
  18. ^ https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/3149/[Podcast]%20Trends%20day%20Week%2014%20-%20Constraints,%20RPO's,%20Tricks%20&%20QB%20Progressions
  19. ^ John Dudley (June 6, 2008). "RiverRats' Liotta meets challenges". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  20. ^ "Erie Explosion QB named indoor league MVP". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 9, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  21. ^ Bob Jarzomski (June 5, 2011). "Erie Explosion level Harrisburg Stampede in finale". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  22. ^ "Explosion's Liotta, McKenna earn UIFL end-of-season honors". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. June 17, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  23. ^ "Erie Explosion re-sign coach Liotta". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 27, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  24. ^ Bob Jarzomski (May 13, 2013). "Explosion nips Sting for CIFL title". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  25. ^ D. J. Vasil (May 28, 2013). "Springdale grad Liotta coaches indoor football team to perfect record, league title". www.triblive.com. Trib Total Media, Inc. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  26. ^ "Erie Explosion coach, players claim CIFL honors". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. June 25, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  27. ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7506547/ [user-generated source]
  28. ^ Adams, Lisa (January 18, 2016). "Erie Explosion Suspends Operations for 2016". WICU-TV. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  29. ^ "Real Life Fantasy Football: Where The Fans Call The Shots". September 6, 2018.
  30. ^ Liotta, Shawn. "Articles by Shawn Liotta". Sports Illustrated.
  31. ^ Staff, S. I. "The Hurry Up: playcalling in front of goal posts". Sports Illustrated.
  32. ^ Staff, S. I. "IFL 101: The offensive basics of indoor football". Sports Illustrated.
  33. ^ Staff, S. I. "Play-action pass game". Sports Illustrated.
  34. ^ "Digital Exclusive- Local coach helps bring interactive football to fans". January 31, 2021.
  35. ^ "News: Miners Name Champion Shawn Liotta as Offensive Coordinator - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. July 31, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
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