After winning the 2008 National Title and suffering a raft of retirements including Head Coach Gerry McManus, the Coventry Cassidy Jets decided it was time to start rebuilding. A complete overhaul of the coaching staff ensued with only Lou Barnes being retained whilst Jim Roberson was charged with filling McManus' shoes. The reign of Roberson was short-lived and nigh on disastrous, after the two parties decided to go their separate ways the Jets found themselves one week away from the season opener without a single coach in place.
Two months on Coventry are well placed, second in the Premier League McManus has returned to the helm and started to build a new coaching staff. The reigns of the defense have been placed in the hands of NFL Europe legend Rowelle Blenman. The 41 year old Londoner played a record nine seasons in the now defunct league starting with his hometown Monarchs. After the pro team moved from England to become the Berlin Thunder, Blenman caught on with the Scottish Claymores where he was a starter on their 2000 World Bowl squad.
Equally comfortable at running back, wide receiver and defensive back, Blenman was also a key contributor on special teams frequently topping the NFL Europe tackling charts. Now working in Hatton Garden, the man affectionately known as "B" had already enjoyed an impressive career before turning pro. Attending Harper College just outside Chicago, Blenman learned the intricacies of the safety position where he would later play for the London Olympians winning 4 National Titles and 2 Eurobowls.
Blenman will be joined by Simon Vardy who, at only 23, has turned his abilities to coaching after a serious knee injury derailed his playing career. After 4 years in the University League with the Sheffield Sabres plus another 4 in the British American Football League with the Yorkshire Rams, Vardy had already chalked up an impressive resume. A team Captain for the Sabres, Vardy was called up to represent Team England Youth in 2004. Working as a fitness instructor it seemed logical that Vardy would combine his Defensive Coordinator role at the Sabres with that of Strength and Conditioning Coach.
"I was invited to the Jets by Gerry McManus and it was an offer I couldn't refuse" beamed an enthused Vardy. "The biggest attraction for me to join the Jets was the opportunity to work within such a great organisation with the skilled athletes we have. It's a great opportunity to develop myself as a coach as well as helping to develop the players, of course the opportunity to win Britbowl is a nice extra". Vardy and Blenman will have their hands full next Sunday as the Jets travel to face an undefeated London Blitz side that posted 28 points with ease on their visit to Coventry in May.