Former Oregon State and San Diego Chargers offensive genius Mike Riley was introduced today as the head coach of the San Antonio franchise of the new Alliance of American Football, and the general manager will be Cowboys legend Daryl 'Moose' Johnson, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"Football has changed my life," Johnson told a packed news conference at City Hall this afternoon to unveil the team. "Everything I have I owe to the game of football."
Alliance of American Football CEO Charlie Ebersol says putting a team in San Antonio was a no brainer.
"San Antonio is the golden ticket of sports," he said. "What this city has done over the last several decades with the Spurs and across so many platforms, obviously the Final Four, is a testament to what a city can do when it has really bought in, culturally."
The AAF will begin play on February 19 in the Alamodome. It will play a twelve game season, with the championship in late April.
Several top level football minds are part of the league, including former Florida and Washington Redskins coach and Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier, and Baylor legend and Chicago Bears Super Bowl winner Mike Singletary, both of whom will coach teams.
The AAF will have slightly different rules from the NFL.
For example, there will be no extra point kicks, after a touchdown, teams will go for two points. In addition, there will be no kickoffs, the team that wins the toss will start at scrimmage on its 25 yard line.
CBS, which is partner in the league, will televise the games.
Mayor Nirenberg says it is an amazing opportunity for San Antonio.
"Make no mistake, we are a big league city and the Alliance is big league sports," Nirenberg said. "The Alliance provides an opportunity for this city to have a professional football team we can call our own, and it recognizes the love and passion San Antonio has for the game."