Antonio Brown Hires High School Coach To Lead Albany Empire

Antonio Brown and the Albany Empire have hired the team's 3rd head coach, a little over a month into the season. At this rate, the Empire should have 9 different head coaches in 2023, maybe more.

Get our free mobile app

Former head coach Tom Menas resigned Sunday after Brown tweeted that there would be a "new coach" on Saturday during the Empire's blowout loss to Jacksonville. Monday afternoon, WTMM and WNYT's Rodger Wyland reported that John Audino, former Union College and current La Salle high school head coach turned down the job that was offered to him by Brown. Audino told Abigail Rubel of timesunion.com, “I’m grateful that somebody like Antonio Brown could think that I could help the team and help the franchise and help the city. It’s just not the right time.”

However, Wyland reported that Audino's current assistant coach, Pete Porcelli, who happens to have seven years of Arena Football experience under his belt, accepted the job Monday afternoon. According to timesunion.com, Porcelli was an original member of the Albany Firebirds in 1990. Porcelli coached at several local high schools having won six Super Bowls and four Section II titles at Lansingburgh and one sectional title at Hoosic Valley.

Porcelli is excited for the opportunity. He told Rubel and timesunion.com, “I am one of the cornerstones, one of the first players on the team. I’ve been around since the beginning, so I want to see it flourish in Albany." How does the new Empire head coach think he'll do? “Proof will be in the pudding on Saturday night, so we’re going to do our best,” Porcelli told Rubel. “I really don’t have any expectations, high or low.” Porcelli has been coaching high school players. Maybe that experience will help him in dealing with an incredibly immature, or something, owner. Either way, best of luck to Pete Porcelli. This won't be easy.