Get to Know Your AAL Teams: Wheeling Miners

The Wheeling Miners have quickly established themselves as one of the most intriguing rising teams in indoor football. Based in Wheeling, West Virginia, the franchise was founded in 2023 by owners Chris Duffy, Dempsey Fields, and Darryl Seabridge with a vision of building a competitive and resilient organization from the ground up.

Originally set to compete as the West Virginia Miners in the American Indoor Football (AIF) league for the 2024 season, the organization ultimately chose to step away due to concerns surrounding league stability and overall quality. That decision proved to be a turning point, reshaping the franchise’s identity. Rebranding as the Wheeling Miners, the team joined the American Arena League 2 (AAL2) for its inaugural campaign—and what followed was nothing short of dominant.

Inaugural Season

Under the leadership of head coach and general manager Joshua Resignalo, the Miners stormed through the 2024 season with a perfect 9–0 regular season record. They capped off their historic debut by dismantling the Peach State Cats 61–14 in the AAL2 Championship to finish 10–0. In just their first season, the Miners didn’t just win, they established themselves as a powerhouse.

Looking to make the move to the professional ranks, Wheeling moved to the National Arena League (NAL) for the 2025 season. The jump in competition brought a new challenge for the Miners. While the team finished 4–6, their record doesn’t tell the whole story. Several losses were tightly contested, showcasing the Miners’ ability to compete with more established franchises. More importantly, the season served as a crucial stepping stone, exposing areas for growth while reinforcing the organization’s long-term vision.

New Beginnings in the American Arena League

Now entering their third season, the Miners are now one of the founding members of the newly relaunched American Arena League. The new iteration of the AAL is focused on the eastern side of the United States with teams located in New Jersey, Georgia, and Mississippi. This move also brought together the last three AAL2 Champions in the Jersey Bearcats (2023), Wheeling Miners (2024), and Mississippi Wolfpack (2025). The league they will play in is not the only change for the Miners' organization.

A new head coach in Chris McKinney brings fresh energy and direction, alongside offensive assistant Major Harris. Together, this group is expected to implement a more aggressive, disciplined approach, with an emphasis on playmaking offense and a pressure driven, opportunistic defense.

Also new for 2026 is a partnership with the Pittsburgh Outlaws of the AAL2, as the "feeder" team for the Wheeling Miners. This partnership has already resulted in many players from the Outlaws previous rosters being signed for 2026. The draft only solidified this partnership with 2 of the 4 draft picks made by the Miners coming from the Outlaws.

Home Sweet Home

Carrying a championship pedigree and a willingness to adapt, the Miners once again find themselves in a strong position heading into the new season. Their home base, WesBanco Arena, has long been a staple of indoor football in the Ohio Valley, previously hosting teams such as the Ohio Valley Greyhounds, Wheeling Wildcats, and West Virginia Roughriders.

With seven of their nine regular season games set to be played at home, the Miners will look to capitalize on a passionate fanbase and create a true home field advantage.

With expectations rising and the stage set for 2026, attention now turns to the players tasked with delivering on that potential. This year’s roster features a balanced mix of proven veterans and emerging talent, giving the Miners both stability and upside across the board.

Wheeling Miners 2026 Roster

QB: Daryll Clark, Khalil Trotman

RB: Charles Westbrook, Derric Ross

WR: Alex Coleman, Andre Thomas-Cobb, Anthony Ellison, Cawon Chatman, Isaiah Robinson, Kendrey Thurman, Matthew Ransome, Ramius Daramola

OL: AJ Santiago, Justin Nelson, Myron Spencer, Rashaun Nedd, Kam Wright, Micah McConnell

DL: Shaun McGee, Cameron Dixon, Denzel Dixon, Isaiah Lewis, Zachary May

LB: Jack William Perry, Andy Plowden, Jayson Johnson, Will Walden

DB: Devonte Tinsley, Dontae Mason, Emanuel Bowden, Joseph Taylor, Richie Murphy, Ja’Quan Bailey, Cawon Chatman

ATH: Tyreer Mills, Ibrahim Sesay

K: Josh Wilson

2026 AAL Draft Class

Round 1 Pick 3: DB/K Aj Bowen Pittsburgh Outlaws

Round 2 Pick 6: LB Arrington Woodard Michigan Grizzlies

Round 3 Pick 11 OL Christian Rowser Tri-City River Gators

Round 4 Pick 14 LB Pap Keeler Pittsburgh Outlaws

Roster Breakdown

The 2026 roster reflects a team built for versatility and impact. At quarterback, veteran presence provides leadership and stability, while a deep and dynamic receiving corps offers plenty of weapons in the passing game. In the trenches, both the offensive and defensive lines bring physicality and depth, setting the tone on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, the Miners feature a hard nosed front paired with a versatile secondary capable of making plays in space. The ability for multiple players to contribute on both sides of the ball—a hallmark of arena football—adds another layer of flexibility and unpredictability to the roster. This is a group constructed not just to compete, but to make noise.

From an undefeated inaugural season to the challenges of higher-level competition, the Wheeling Miners have already experienced both dominance and adversity in a remarkably short span. Now, with a retooled roster, new leadership, and a clear sense of direction, the next chapter begins. The question is no longer whether the Miners can compete, it’s whether they can once again rise to the top.

The 2026 season will begin to answer that question on April 25th, as the  Wheeling Miners open on the road against the Columbus Lions. And if the past is any indication, the Miners won’t just be showing up, they’ll be looking to make a statement against their rival. 

Follow the Wheeling Miners on all your favorite social media platforms, and sign up for their e-mail list via their website: https://gowvminers.com/

Written by

Shane Majoris

Shady Sports Network