NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - After more than 15 years, the Nashville Kats are bringing arena football back to Music City.
The Arena Football League is being revived, and the Kats are returning with it. The team started training camp Saturday at Lipscomb Academy.
“Any time you step on the field for the first day of training camp it’s fun,” Kats’ President of Football Operations Jeff Fisher said. “So this is all about the Nashville Kats and bonding with the community.”
Fisher is no stranger to Nashville, having coached the Tennessee Titans for over a decade.
“Theoretically I really never left Nashville. I stepped aside for a few years but came back,” Fisher said. “The great part about this is it’s been going on for three or four months. It’s really fun to see all the work come together. The excitement and enthusiasm in the community has been pretty impressive.”
Fisher isn’t the only familiar face helping breathe life back into the Kats. Dean Cokinos is the Head Coach for Nashville. A veteran coach for arena football, Cokinos was on staff for the Kats from 2005 through the 2007 season.
“It’s a privilege to restart this, re-launch the Kats. It’s still such a big name in our community,” Cokinos said. “To do it with Coach Fisher and our new ownership group, I’m excited about it.”
The revival of the league and the team is also an opportunity for the players. Former Vanderbilt offensive lineman Saige Young is looking forward to taking the field once again in Music City.
“It’s just bringing back all of the memories,” Young said. “Just to get back here and play the game that I love, it’s a blessing, to be honest. This opportunity is great for myself and for players out here. We’re really excited.”
The team will start the season on April 27 at Municipal Auditorium against the Minnesota Myth.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.