Shawn Liotta

Shawn Liotta
Erie Explosion
Position: Head coach
Personal information
Date of birth: (1980-07-11) July 11, 1980
Place of birth: Springdale, Pennsylvania
Career information
College: Robert Morris
Career history
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • NCAA D-IAA Mid Major National Championship (2003)
  • 2× Coach of the Year (2012, 2013)
  • 2× CIFL Champion (2013, 2014)
Head coaching record
Career: 67–35 (.657)

Shawn Liotta (born July 11, 1980) is an indoor football head coach for the Erie Explosion. Over the past 8 seasons as a Head Coach at the professional indoor level, Liotta has established himself as a consistent winner and producer high scoring offensive units as evidenced by his team establishing 26 league and national records. Following the conclusion of the 2014 season, Liotta holds a 76% win percentage (58-19) during his tenure in Erie and has led his teams to 7 playoff berths in 8 seasons. Liotta holds a (35-5) record at the Erie Insurance Arena, and his teams have finished as the number one ranked offense in three different professional indoor leagues. For his accomplishments at the indoor level, Liotta has twice been named Coach of the Year and in 2007 was selected to coach the AIFA All-Star Game held in Florence, SC.

Early life

Liotta is a 2002 graduate of Robert Morris University with a Bachelors Degree in Sport Management.[1]

Coaching career

Duquesne University

Liotta gained experience at the college level as the Running Backs coach at Duquesne University where he was a part of the Dukes 2003 NCAA Division IAA- Mid Major National Championship under Head Coach Greg Gattuso. Liotta has served as a coach at the Professional, Collegiate, and High School level including serving as a head or assistant coach at every level of high school football in the State of Pennsylvania.

Erie indoor football

Liotta was hired as the head coach of the Pittsburgh RiverRats in 2007. In 2008, the franchise moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, and Liotta remained with the franchise.[2] In 2009, Liotta left Erie to join the Wheeling Wildcats.[1] Liotta returned to Erie in 2010. In 2011, Liotta coached quarterback, Adam DiMichele to an MVP season in the Southern Indoor Football League,[3] as well as a Northeast Division title.[4] After leading the Explosion to the UIFL North title game in 2012, Liotta was named the 2012 UIFL Coach of the Year.[5] Liotta re-signed for the 2012 season.[6] In 2012 Liotta authored a book titled Developing and Maintaining a Successful Professional Indoor Football Program. In 2013 Liotta led the Explosion to a perfect (12-0) record[7] and the 2013 CIFL Championship.[8] The Explosion finished with the league's top ranked offensive and defensive unit and Liotta was named the 2013 CIFL Coach of the Year.[9] The 2013 season marked the 3rd consecutive year that Erie finished with the league's top overall offense with a different first year starter at quarterback. His brother Jeremy Liotta coordinated the defense which also finished as the leagues top defense overall. In 2014 despite a large roster turnover, Liotta led the Explosion to a regular season record of 9-2. The Explosion would have to travel to Saginaw Michigan to take on the Sting,setting up a rematch of the 2013 CIFL Championship game. Erie would go on to blow out the Sting 46-15, earning the right to defend their championship against the Marion Blue Racers. The Explosion would prove to be too much for the Racers, defeating them 38-26 , capturing the league championship for the 2nd year in a row. The Explosion would not fare as well in 2015 with their move to the Professional Indoor Football League, only winning one league game in their inaugural season in that league.

During the indoor football offseason, Liotta serves as offensive coordinator for the Clairton Bears high school football team.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 John Dudley (May 6, 2012). "John Dudley: Explosion coach fine with shining in Erie". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  2. ↑ John Dudley (June 6, 2008). "RiverRats' Liotta meets challenges". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Erie Explosion QB named indoor league MVP". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 9, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ Bob Jarzomski (June 5, 2011). "Erie Explosion level Harrisburg Stampede in finale". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Explosion's Liotta, McKenna earn UIFL end-of-season honors". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. June 17, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Erie Explosion re-sign coach Liotta". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 27, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  7. ↑ Bob Jarzomski (May 13, 2013). "Explosion nips Sting for CIFL title". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  8. ↑ D. J. Vasil (May 28, 2013). "Springdale grad Liotta coaches indoor football team to perfect record, league title". www.triblive.com. Trib Total Media, Inc. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Erie Explosion coach, players claim CIFL honors". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. June 25, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  10. ↑ http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/football/6888330-74/game-kittanning-valley#axzz3G3jKqFJH


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