Montgomery Catfish Arena Football

09/14/2026

The Montgomery Catfish have announced former Birmingham Iron defensive back Joe Powell will serve as their Defensive Coordinator for their inaugural 2027 season.

Powell had 13 tackles and 1 interception in 7 games with the Iron in 2019.

⚒️ x 🐟

09/14/2026

WELCOME TO THE CATFISH, JOE POWELL.

The Montgomery Catfish have announced the hiring of Joe Powell as our Defensive Coordinator for the inaugural 2027 season.

After 11 years of playing football at nearly every level, Powell is hanging up the helmet and picking up the headset.

Joe’s playing experience spans more than a decade across the PIFL, Arena Football League, NAL, XFL, UFL, CFL and NFL, giving him a deep understanding of the game from multiple levels and perspectives. Now, he’ll bring that experience to the Catfish coaching staff as Defensive Coordinator.

He has played for organizations including the Arlington Renegades, St. Louis Battlehawks, Carolina Cobras and Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, while continuing to find opportunities to take his career to the next level.

That drive stood out to our organization.

As a player, Powell built a reputation for making life difficult for quarterbacks and receivers, earning All-League honors during his arena career while continuing to receive opportunities at higher levels.

Now, he gets the opportunity to take everything he learned on the field and use it to build a defensive unit of his own.

His playing career tells a great story, but this next chapter is just beginning.

Welcome to Montgomery, Coach Powell.

09/13/2026

WELCOME TO THE CATFISH, DONNELL ROBINSON.

Donnell Robinson is a former athlete from Crestview, Florida, with a strong background in football, coaching, leadership, and youth mentorship. He played four years of high school football as a fullback and defensive end before continuing his career at Alabama State University.

He later earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Auburn University at Montgomery. His playing career continued in semi-professional and arena football, where he won a championship with the Montgomery Buffaloes before earning a practice player opportunity with the Tennessee Valley Vipers in Huntsville, Alabama.

Donnell later transitioned into coaching, serving as a defensive line coach and recruiter for the Alabama Outlawz arena football team. After two years, he was promoted to Head Coach, further developing his leadership and football knowledge.

Beyond the field, Donnell has dedicated himself to mentoring and supporting student-athletes, including working with athletes who faced significant challenges. His work was featured on Netflix’s Last Chance U, where he contributed as a mentor.

Today, he serves as a school administrator at Cristo Rey Birmingham. He continues to use his experience in athletics, education, and mentorship to impact young people while pursuing his passion for football. Donnell is excited to bring his experience, leadership, and commitment to the Montgomery Catfish.

09/11/2026

WELCOME TO MONTGOMERY, COACH LUKE CAPURSO.

The Montgomery Catfish are excited to welcome Luke Capurso to our coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for the 2027 season.

Entering his sixth season of coaching, Luke began his coaching journey at Perry Traditional Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before joining the Pittsburgh Outlaws last spring.

Luke brings a strong focus on preparation, film study, game planning, discipline and accountability. He believes in building teams the right way, with a strong culture and players who are prepared to compete every time they step on the field.

Off the field, Luke has also made giving back to the community a priority, working with city youth and nonprofit organizations. That commitment to developing people and building relationships is something we’re proud to bring into the Catfish organization.

Now, he’s bringing that mindset to Montgomery.

“I’m coming to Montgomery with one goal: to bring a championship home to this great city.” -Coach Capurso

Welcome to the Catfish family, Coach Capurso.

Let’s work.

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember September 11, 2001.

We honor those we lost, the families forever changed, and the first responders who gave so much that day.

25 years later, we will never forget.

09/10/2026

WELCOME HOME, DERRICK ZEIGLER.

We’re excited to welcome Derrick Zeigler to the Montgomery Catfish coaching staff as our OL/DL Coach for the 2027 season.

After 14 seasons playing arena football and winning championships with the Jacksonville Sharks in 2019 and the Nashville Kats in 2026, Derrick had the opportunity to keep chasing the game in different places.

But coming back home meant something different.

Derrick is a Central Alabama guy. He grew up here, played his high school football at Holtville, and now he gets the chance to give back to the community that helped shape him.

He knows what it takes to compete. He knows what it takes to win. And now he gets to share that experience with the players who will put on the Catfish jersey for the first time.

That’s what makes this one special.

As Derrick put it:

“No place like home! It feels amazing to have the opportunity to come back, give back, and bring back a championship back home!”

We couldn’t agree more.

Football in Alabama comes with a certain expectation. We know that, and we’re building the Catfish with it in mind.

It just means more.

Welcome home, Derrick.

09/10/2026

Building a championship organization starts with the right people, from the top down.

The Montgomery Catfish are proud to welcome Ben McToy as our Director of Player Personnel.

Ben brings a strong track record in arena football, with experience that includes his work with the Wheeling Miners, Duluth Harbor Monsters and Albany Firebirds. His background in scouting, player evaluation, recruiting and player placement includes helping put together championship teams in Wheeling and Duluth. He brings that experience to Montgomery as we build our football operation.

Within our Player Personnel Department, Ben will focus on identifying, evaluating and recruiting talent while building relationships with players and helping establish our player pipeline.

What stood out to us most in our conversations was that he gets it. He understands the vision and what we’re trying to build here in Montgomery.

We’re building this organization from the ground up, and having the right people in the right positions matters.

Welcome to the Catfish, Ben.

Thank you for believing in what we’re building and joining us in our pursuit of bringing a championship to Alabama. We’re committed to doing things the right way and building a Montgomery Catfish organization that Montgomery and people across Alabama can be proud of.

We know what football means in Alabama. We know the standard we're stepping into, and we're ready to live up to it. It just means more.

09/09/2026

Welcome to the league! We’re excited to have you join us for the 2027 season.
Let’s go! 🔥

The ownership group said Rome is a great market for arena football.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the Montgomery Catfish!

Today we celebrate the people who get up, show up, and put in the work every day to keep our community moving forward.

To every worker, business owner, teacher, first responder, farmer, healthcare worker, and everyone in between, thank you for all you do.

Enjoy the day. You’ve earned it.