Get to Know Your AAL Teams: Columbus Lions
- Shady Sports Network
- May 5
- 6 min read
The American Arena League relaunched in 2026 with four teams: the Mississippi Wolfpack, Jersey Bearcats, Wheeling Miners, and the Columbus Lions. Of this group, the Lions come with the most history, but also the newest ownership group. Let's take a closer look at the Columbus Lions, as they celebrate their 20th year of existence.
Fresh Coat of Paint
When Roger Beck became the principal owner of the Columbus Lions ahead of the 2026 season, he was taking over one of the most successful franchises in any league. Built on a legacy of winning in 18 seasons of play, the Lions had reached the playoffs 17 times, winning 5 league championships in 8 total trips.
Mr. Beck wasn't buying a project in need of a ground-up rebuild; he was buying a Ferrari that could use a fresh coat of paint and a tune-up. Shortly after it was announced, Mr. Beck had become the principal owner of the Lions, Corry Black was announced as a Partner, and the General Manager.
These men have been tasked with taking a team that has been in Columbus for 20 years and growing their fanbase and notoriety. Not an easy task. It began with the right staff in the front office to not only maintain the foundation already built, but also enhance and grow the Lions into the future.
Front Office Staff
Principal Owner Roger Beck
General Manager/Partner Corry Black
Director of Player Personnel Damian Daniels
Director of Sales/Football Ops Koa Pickard
Director of Ticketing Ainsley Buchanan
Director of Game Day Ops/Community Relations Gabbi Van Valkenburg
Creative Director Mike Jones
Executive Team Advisor Catherine Creech
Social Media Manager Lee Snow
Entertainment Value
There are two ways the Lions, at the direction of Beck and Black, have gone about building on the foundation they bought: marketing and in-game entertainment. Roger Beck has talked about it multiple times when asked what his first step was once the dust had settled on the purchase, and that was to hire "Leo," the Lions' mascot, full-time. However, this was only the beginning of their marketing efforts.
The Lions then invested in billboards around the greater Columbus area to help promote the team. Thanks in part to making "Leo" a full-time employee, the Lions have been in their community more than ever. Whether it is at local schools, restaurants, car washes, or Salvation Army donation events, the Lions can be seen all over the city of Columbus. Even if you don't see a person, you might see their Columbus Lions Hummer.
The entertainment value at Lions' games has been unmatched. In their home opener, they had local artist and former Super Bowl performer Tonio Armani as their halftime show. In their first regular-season game, at halftime, fans were dancing to the Cupid Shuffle performed by Cupid himself. Now heading into their third home game, they have A.J. Robinson set to perform the National Anthem and as the Halftime Show.
Upgrades
They haven't stopped at handouts and halftime shows either. The Lions have rolled out three different uniform combinations already this season, with more coming, as well as a brand new field. The Lions look completely revamped, without departing from the legacy that made the franchise one of the staples of indoor football.
They return to the Columbus Civic Center for 2026, the same venue they have played in since their first season in 2007. The Civic Center provides a full capacity of 7,573 fans for football alignments. It also serves as the home of the Columbus River Dragons hockey team, as well as the Auburn Tigers hockey team. The Lions and River Dragons have already developed a partnership, which should only help grow the foothold of both teams.
Coaching Staff
Amidst all these changes, not everything is different. Head Coach Damian "Night Hawk" Daniels has returned for his third season with the team. With him will always come a stifling defense that places a premium on forcing turnovers and putting pressure on the quarterback early and often.
So far, his tenure as the Head Coach with the team has been successful with an 11-4 overall record. This includes a 2-0 start to the 2026 American Arena League season. He also retained much of his staff from previous seasons.
Coaching Staff
Offensive Coordinator Pierre Coffey
Wide Receivers James Moreland
Offensive Line Mark Rozycki
Defensive Line Brandon Thomas
Special Teams/Linebackers Koa Pickard
The new face is Offensive Coordinator Pierre Coffey, a longtime high school coach who won a title as recently as 2024. He gets his first experience coaching indoors in 2026. So far in three total games, his team has scored 62, 46, and 79 (preseason). Offensive Line coach Mark Rozycki rejoins the team after years away. This staff brings a lot of experience to the table which has paid off in their ability to help develop and elevate players to the next level.
Georgia Ties Throughout the Roster
Not only have the Lions built a talented roster, but they have also done so while building in ties to Columbus and the state of Georgia. This gives local fans even more reason to attend the games and root for players they may know from high school, college, or even as their child's teacher at a local school.
The Lions' team has a total of 18 people that work with local schools, including nearly the entire coaching staff, Roger Beck, Corry Black, as well as both trainers: Tiffany Whitt and Kerri Reaves, and nine players. Few teams in any sport or league can claim that many ties to their local schools.
Espinosa Connection
The Lions signed the younger brother, Blaine, to long-time Lions' quarterback Mason Espinosa. Bringing back memories for fans of the Lions, Blaine has taken the reins and looks to be calm, cool, and collected. He has brought immediate leadership to the Lions' offense and provided a talented player for Pierre Coffey to mold his offense around.
Tyler Clark, University of Georgia
Tyler Clark signed with the Columbus Lions at the end of last season and opted to return in 2026. Clark, a Georgia native, did not just attend UGA; he played in 54 games, collecting 119 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. Afterward, he spent time with multiple NFL teams. Now he is wreaking havoc in opposing backfields for the Columbus Lions.
Jesse Reverio
Reverio is another Georgia-born player from Griffin, Georgia. He played wide receiver for Griffin High School. He later attended Georgia Military College as well. Reverio is a rookie at the professional level but has played for multiple developmental teams in and around Georgia as well. He is sure to draw a few fans to games.
Tremell Gooden
Gooden is an Atlanta native who attended Creekside High School. He later stayed close to home, attending Morehouse College, where he played in 35 games, collecting over 1,500 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns as a receiver. Gooden has also been playing for the Lions since 2023. He managed to score 5 touchdowns in a single game in 2025.
Marco Lee
Marco Lee lives in Columbus, having attended Hardaway High School, where he ran for over 2,500 yards in two seasons right there in Columbus, Georgia. He has remained in the area training up-and-coming youth athletes. He even won GHSA Co-Player of the Year as a senior. The 230-pound running back not only brings local ties to Columbus, but he also brings a powerful runner to an already dangerous offense. He is also not the only Hardaway High alum on the roster.
Jakhari Thomas
Thomas is a defensive back joining the Lions for the 2026 season. Having attended Hardaway High School from 2015 to 2017, he likely overlapped with Marco Lee. Hardaway actually took the time to shout out their former players following their first win of the season.
Lots to Love for Lions' Fans New and Old
Lions' fans new and old have a lot to love about their new team. Including deep ties to the city of Columbus, and the state of Georgia as a whole, with over half the roster, and most of the coaching staff and front office originally hailing from or now calling Georgia home. With a 2-0 start to the season, there has never been a better time to jump on the bandwagon.
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