This season is Derek Stingley’s first full season as the Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Power. Derek joined the Power in 2012 as the Defensive Coordinator in the team’s second season. In week 11, Stingley was promoted to Interim Head Coach,  taking over a 2-8 team. Prior to the conclusion of the season, the Power named him Head Coach for 2013.

Derek’s AFL coaching career began in the AF2 league in 2005 as the defensive coordinator for the Macon Knights. The Knights promoted Stingley to head coach that May, and he turned the season around for the slow-starting squad, eventually leading his team to the playoffs. During his two-year tenure with the Knights, Derek had a total of 18 players named to the All-AF2 team.  His success was noticed throughout the AF2 ranks, and it didn’t take long for the AF2’s South Georgia Wildcats to recruit coach Stingley. In three years with the Wildcats, Stingley posted a 30-13 record and was named “AF2 Head Coach of the Year” in 2008.  In 2009, Derek moved up to the AFL, serving as the defensive coordinator for New Orleans VooDoo, before eventually being named Head Coach . The Voodoo struggled in his inaugural year, but under Stingley’s tutelage, wide receiver/kick returner and current Power standout PJ Berry was named JLS Ironman of the Year after setting an AFL record in all purpose yards.

A heralded two-sport athlete, Stingley first chose a different career path: baseball. Stingley was an outstanding centerfielder and played collegiately at Purdue University. Derek was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993, and spent three seasons in the club’s minor league system before following his true passion for football.  Stingley has nine years of playing experience in the Arena Football League, starting with the Albany Firebirds in 1996. After four years and one Championship with the Firebirds, Stingley’s was selected to the AFL First Team at defensive back, and the AFL 15-year Anniversary Team.  After spending time on the New York Jets roster, Stingley then went to play for the Chicago Rush, Arizona Rattlers, Carolina Cobras and the Dallas Desperados.

Jon Lyles brings a 15-year coaching resume as the newest assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Power.  A native ofArp, TX, Jon is a graduate of Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) and received a Masters degree from West Texas A&M University.

Lyles began his coaching career at OPSU in 1999 and served two years as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, before moving on to coach with the AFL’s Tulsa Talons. While in graduate school at West Texas A&M, he coached the wide receivers during the school’s 2002 and 2003 seasons.

Jon went on to coach teams in the IFL, AF2, and AFL.  His longest stint being from 2007-2009 with the AF2’s Bossier/Shreveport Battle Wings coaching current Power players PJ Berry and Christian Wise.  Lyles served as the offensive coordinator for the Battle Wings, and the squad went to the playoffs each season he was there, also earning him Arena Football 2 Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2008.

In 2010, Lyles moved to the IFL’s Amarillo Venom as head coach, guiding the team to a 14-4 record and a berth in the conference semifinals.

Lyles went back to the AFL in 2011 as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator and director of football operations for the New Orleans VooDoo, where he stayed until accepting the head coaching position this past season at OPSU, his alma mater.

As the newest member of the Pittsburgh Power staff, Rob Goodman brings more than 25 years of sports and entertainment marketing and sales experience to the team as Senior Vice President of Marketing.  Rob oversees all aspects of the Power’s marketing, promotions, sponsorships, sales and media relations efforts. Prior to joining the Power in September, 2012, Rob spent 6 ½ years as the Asst. General Manager/Director of Marketing of Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center and Mellon Arena.

A native of the Philadelphia, PA area, Rob received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Temple University. He started his industry career with the Omaha Royals Baseball Club, the AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and also held positions with George Washington University Athletics, a second-stint with the Royals as Director of Marketing and Public Relations and as Vice-President and General Manager of the Omaha Racers Continental Basketball Association (CBA) franchise.  Goodman was also the President of an Omaha-based entertainment and marketing firm, Monster Productions, and was marketing director for Radio Disney and ESPN radio stations in Omaha.

Rob moved to Pittsburgh in May, 2006, having spent 6 ½ years in New Orleans, serving as General Manager of the Pontchartrain Center, a multipurpose sports and convention facility in Kenner, LA, and as the Sr. Marketing Manager for the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena.  Goodman played an integral role in managing the complex’s marquee events, namely Super Bowl XXXVI, Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball Final Fours and NCAA Tournaments, BCS National Championship games, NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four and other numerous concerts and sporting events, including the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and NBA’s New Orleans Hornets.

Goodman’s proudest achievement in his career, though, was assisting in the rebuilding and the reopening of the Pontchartrain Center facility, just months following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005.

Rob resides in Upper St. Clair, PA with his wife, Lisa and their four children, Isabel, Suzanna, Shoshanah and Noah.

Mike brings 16 seasons of National Football League experience to the Pittsburgh Power.  He played quarterback for several NFL teams including the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.  Before his time in the NFL, Tomzcak played his college ball at Ohio State University.  While with the Buckeyes, he helped lead the team to two Big Ten championship seasons.

Tomczak went undrafted and signed as an original free agent with the Bears, where the team earned a ring in Super Bowl XX against the Patriots in 1986.  In his time with Chicago, Tomczak started 31 games and threw for 31 touchdowns.  He then spent a year with the Packers and another with the Browns.  The Steelers signed Tomczak and he spent seven seasons in Pittsburgh.  He started for much of the 1996 season and guided the team into the playoffs.  Once his contract was not renewed after the 1999 season, he signed with the Lions in 2000.  Tomczak suffered a broken right tibia in an exhibition game and was out the entire season, which forced him to retire from football.

Tomczak won his first 10 starts at quarterback with Chicago, which set an NFL record.  He started 42 games and completed 53.4 % of his passes for 88 touchdowns.  Taking over toward the end of the Power’s second season, Tomczak will work closely with new head coach Derek Stingley.

Brian Basile served as the linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Power in its inaugural 2011 season.  He returns for his second year with the Power, assisting with both the Linebackers and Defensive Line.

Brian is also entering his fourth season as a member of the Frostburg State football staff. In his first first three years coaching their defensive backs, Frostburg posted 32 interceptions and 90 pass breakups. His high school experience includes stops at Central Cambria in Ebensburg, Pa. (1981-1986), Johnstown High in Johnstown, Pa. (1987-1992), Richland in Johnstown (2002) and Conemaugh Township in Davidsville, Pa. (2003-2007).

Basile’s arena football coaching experience includes serving as head coach of the Johnstown Riverhawks of the American Football League in 2005 and 2006, doubling as their general manager during the ‘06 season. He started his professional coaching career in 2000 as the defensive/recruiting coordinator for the Johnstown Jackals of the Indoor Football League and in 2001 and was the defensive coordinator for the Johnstown J-Dogs of the National Indoor Football League.

Basile played defensive back at Indiana (Pa.) and graduated in 1981. He resides in Elton, Pa. with his wife Carrie, newborn daughter Bella, and his daughter Brianna, a freshman at Pitt-Johnstown.

John Sikora returns to the Power as the Line Coach and looks to build on his already impressive offensive and defensive lines. John started his professional career in Albany with the AFL, helping the Firebirds win the ArenaBowl in 1999. John played ironman football in Albany, starting on both the offensive and defensive lines and serving as the team long-snapper. After leaving Albany, John went to Chicago where he was known as the anchor on the offensive line of the Rush for three years. Sikora was named the team’s lineman of the year in 2006 and set personal records on both offense and defense.

Prior to turning professional, John played at Slippery Rock University, setting records and earning accolades as a four-year starter on both the football and lacrosse teams. Sikora was a two-time All-American selection for the Pride and was named First Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference two years in a row. John coaches football at Central Cambria High School and is married to wife Stephanie; the couple has three children, Jaylee and Jewel and Jemma.

Matt Shaner is Owner, Chief Executive Officer, and General Manager for the Pittsburgh Power. Matt’s leadership and ingenuity are what brought the Pittsburgh Power to the city. After making the commitment to start a new AFL franchise, he relocated his family and business to Sewickley. Matt is also the CEO of Shaner Investments L.P. and the former Vice President of Development of Shaner Hotel Group. Shaner Hotel Group is a company that specializes in acquisitions, refurbishment, repositioning, development, and long-term ownership of full service and select service hotels with extensive limited service and extended stay experience. Since its inception, Shaner Hotel Group has completed numerous transactions, including joint ventures, developments, acquisitions, dispositions and financings. The company operates its properties under established franchise affiliations. These include Marriott, (including Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, and SpringHill Suites), Hampton Inn, Renaissance, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

Shaner Investments L.P. is an independent branch of the Shaner Companies founded by Matt in 2006. Shaner Investment’s business plan targets under serviced, mid to small cities in Pennsylvania for hotel and restaurant development. Shaner Investments has hired Shaner Hotel Group to manage newly built hotels and assist with legal and accounting issues.

Matt is also a former member of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association and is currently on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Kicks 4 Kids charity, Penn State Quarterback Club, Duquesne Club, and the Edgeworth Club.

Lance T. Shaner serves as Chairman of the Board for the Pittsburgh Power, and as Chairman and Chief Executive of Shaner. A graduate of Alfred University, he provides the business strategy and entrepreneurial spirit for multiple companies. Under Lance’s leadership, the companies have completed over one billion dollars in transactions and have grown into a highly respected business group with over 2,000 employees.

Throughout Mr. Shaner’s extensive career he has been successful in leading the companies in areas such as finance, venture capital, contract negotiations, real estate development, acquisitions and strategic investment advice. Today as the Chief Executive Officer of Shaner, Lance is responsible for the overall management of the company and setting of strategic directions. In this leadership role, the companies have completed a number of initiatives including:

• The development and redevelopment of over 75 hotel projects with leading brand affiliation such as Marriott, InterContinental and Hilton.
• Co-founding of several oil and gas production companies with operations in eight states, achieving significant success in the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves in those states.
• The development of the award-winning Williamsburg Square property in State College, Pennsylvania. This development is a mixed-use project consisting of three hotels, two restaurants and two office buildings. The colonial-themed property was an immediate success and established a new community landmark.

Peter Hill is the current President of the Pittsburgh Power, and played an integral role in bringing the team to Pittsburgh. In the team’s inaugural year Peter oversaw all ticket sales, marketing, brand development, developed the team’s corporate partnerships. Peter is also the Senior Vice President for Shaner Investments L.P., a hotel and real estate development company.

Peter is a decorated veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. As a non-commissioned officer if the United States Marine Corps, Peter was in charge of the personnel department for Marine Aircraft Group 16’s Operations Center during his two tours in Iraq. During his second tour in Iraq, he was selected as a security liaison for the Department of Defense. After completing his tour with the Department of Defense, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps in December of 2004, Peter owned and operated Diversified Media Inc. a book distribution company that serviced private and public libraries throughout the eastern United States.

Lynn Swann was born in Alcoa, TN, to Willie and Mildred Swann. At the age of two, Lynn and his family (parents and two brothers) moved to California.

Lynn starred in football at the University of Southern California, playing for the legendary John McLay and was an All-American for the Trojans, including the 1972 undefeated and National Champion squad.  Lynn also earned his degree in Public Relations from USC’s renowned School of Journalism and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Lynn was drafted with the 21^st pick in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, remaining with the team for his entire eight year NFL career. The Steelers draft class of ’74 is considered one of the best in NFL history and included 4 eventual Hall of Famers: Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, and Jack Lambert.  As a rookie, he led the NFL with 577 punt return yards, a franchise record and the fourth most in NFL history at the time. He went on to be a cornerstone of the Steelers’ dynasty, winning four Super Bowls and making the Pro Bowl three times (1975, 1977 & 1978).  Lynn retired after the 1982 season and his outstanding achievements led to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2001.

Even during his playing days with the Steelers, Lynn began a successful broadcasting career with ABC Sports and stayed with the network through 2006.

Lynn currently sits on the board of directors of H.J. Heinz Company, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Harrah’s Entertainment, Empower Software, and Transdel Pharmaceuticals. He is also the Managing Director of Diamond Edge Capital Partners, a financial marketing firm.

Since 1980, Lynn Swann has been a National Spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. He now serves on their National Board of Directors and was President of the National Board from 1993 to 1995. He has travelled across the country, visited with the U.S. Congress, and has appeared at The White House on behalf of the nation’s premiere one-to-one mentoring organization.

It is his community leadership, along with other qualities, that aided President George W. Bush to ask Mr. Swann to serve as the Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from 2002-05.

In 2006, Lynn Swann ran for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lynn did not win the contest, but ran an extremely strong and popular campaign.

Keep up with Lynn on Twitter: @Lynn88Swann