Staff

Jason Gibson

Head Coach

Gibson spent 16 seasons with the Lions, amassing a 131-73 record as the team’s head coach and general manager. Gibson won three league championships between the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL), Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL), and American Indoor Football League (AIF). Gibson and the Lions joined the National Arena League in 2017 as a founding member. During his time in the NAL, Gibson became the longest active NAL head coach serving as the head coach of the Lions in every NAL season (2017-2022). The Lions became the only team in NAL history to make it to the playoffs in every single season of play while also playing in three championship games in five seasons.

Coach Gibson coached against the Sharks in the NAL’s inaugural Championship game in 2017 where the thrilling game was decided on the very last play where the Sharks came out on top 27-21. In 2021, Coach Gibson and Lions finished 6-2 in the regular season and advanced with a playoff victory to their third NAL Championship appearance in four seasons. Gibson was named the 2021 NAL Coach of the Year.

In 2022, the Lions finished third in the NAL with a 7-5 regular season record and finished strong winning their last three regular season games including a 71-14 victory over the Orlando Predators in Columbus for their final home game. Gibson not only brings the experience as a coach but also as a player has he played college football at Fairmont State University in West Virginia and had a long professional career playing in multiple league’s including the CFL, GFL Europe, and AF2. The Sharks are excited to welcome Coach Gibson, his wife Sarah, and their kids Gunnar, Jett, and Steele to the Shark Family and Jacksonville community.

Clay Harrell

Offensive / Defensive Line Coach

This is Coach Harrell's second season with the Jacksonville Sharks. In his first year with the team he helped Jacksonville's lineman receive three All-NAL honors. He built a top offensive line as Jacksonville was one of the fewest sacked teams during the 2022 season and the second most rushing touchdowns in 2022. His defensive line led the NAL in sacks during the regular season.

Coach Harrell coached in the AFL where he held multiple coaching & coordinating titles between the Columbus Destroyers, Cleveland Gladiators, Orlando Predators, and Portland Thunder. He also played in the AFL as fullback from 2007-2013 during his playing career he spent time with the Cleveland Gladiators, Nashville Kats, LA Avengers and helped the Spokane Shock to a Arena Bowl Victory.

Show less

Charlie Hunt

Receivers / Jack Linebackers Coach

Charlie Hunt enters his fifth year on the Sharks coaching staff, serving the three seasons as the player personnel / special teams coach and last season as the offensive assistant coach. In 2019, he was a part of the 15- 1 dominating NAL season where the Sharks won their second NAL championship title.

Coach Hunt also served the team as a player way back in 2017, as the Sharks claimed their first NAL title. As a player, he was a Sharks captain, jack linebacker, and the NAL Defensive Player of the Year during the 2017 season. Hunt had a decorated arena football career spending most of it here with the Jacksonville Sharks in the AFL where he was a First Team All-Arena Jack Linebacker while also playing receiver throughout his career with the Sharks. In 2012, Charlie Hunt played with the Arena Bowl XXIV champion Jacksonville Sharks during the team's second season as a franchise & first-ever league championship victory.

Coach Hunt is a local of Jacksonville, FL and now spends his off-time serving as offensive coordinator of Episcopal High School.

Show less

Bill Alford

Defensive Back Coach

Bill Alford played college football at Vanderbilt University and professional football for the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. Alford played defensive back and Jack linebacker for the Jacksonville Sharks from the 2010 Inaugural Season to the 2013 season, he was one of only four Sharks players to suit up for each of the team’s first four seasons. During his time with the Sharks he was a team captain and helped the team to their first ever championship victory in 2011 for Arena Bowl XXIV. In 2014, Bill was named the Defensive Coordinator for the Sharks. Under his tutelage, the Sharks defense was number 1 in the AFL in completion percentage defense, red zone defense and 3rd down defense.