NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE
FOOTBALL
National Arena League
menuNAL Champion Tom Menas Named Gunslingers Head Coach
SAN ANTONIO - Tom Menas, a former player on the 1985 San Antonio Gunslingers (USFL) team is returning to San Antonio after 38 years to take over as the Head Coach and General Manager of the San Antonio Gunslingers.
Michigan native Menas played 5 years of college football as a starter guard at Kansas State. While there, his team brought the university its first bowl game in the history of the school. (1978 - 1983)
In 1983, Coach Menas joined the Detroit Lions (NFL) but suffered an injury that prematurely ended his NFL career. The day after being released from the Lions, he got a call and was signed by the San Antonio Gunslingers (USFL).
After retiring from pro football, Coach Menas used what he learned from his time in college and professional football to transition into the indoor football world. During the 90’s through 2003 he coached with several AFL teams including in his home state with the Detroit Fury.
He then joined the CFL (Canadian Football League) Toronto Argonauts from 2004 to 2006 as the defensive line coach, helping the team win the Grey Cup in 2004.
He was then engaged in various private coach consulting engagements for a multitude of teams at all professional levels.
From 2015 to 2017 Coach Menas was appointed Head Coach for Michigan’s Oakland University where he won a NCFA National Championship and amassed a record of 23-1.
In 2019 he signed with the Green Bay Blizzard (IFL) as assistant coach helping the Blizzard reach its first playoff appearance in 7 years as OL and DL coach.
In 2020 and 2021, Coach Menas served as Assistant Head Coach of the New Jersey Flight (NAL).
Prior to the 2021 season, Coach Menas was asked to lead the Albany Empire (NAL) football program. With less than 2 weeks to prepare, he constructed a team that would go on to only lose one game and win the championship against the Columbus Lions.
In 2022, he again led the Albany Empire to the championship game and beat the Carolina Cobras 47-20. During these two seasons, his players enjoyed receiving top awards for their performances. Albany Empire is the only team to win back-to-back championships in National Arena League history.
Over the course of his 55 years in football, Coach Menas is honored to have been a part of 12 championships throughout his career. Coach Menas will begin working immediately to prepare for the 2024 season as he feels strongly that championships are won in September, not August.
Gunslingers CEO and owner, Don Rackler, said “I am extremely proud to have a coach of this caliber be a part of our organization. Coach Menas brings tremendous experience and wisdom. He knows how to win championships and I am certain he will help us build an extremely competitive team in 2024 and beyond.”
President and co-owner, James Steubing had this to say, “Coach Menas’ credentials speak for themselves. He is a man who knows how to play indoor football and inspire his players to win. I am very excited to work alongside him and build a powerful championship team.”
Coach Menas says, “I am anxious to show the indoor football world the difference between Texas football and how it’s played everywhere else.” When asked what his goals are, “I have only one goal. To bring San Antonio and its fans their first professional football championship in 2024.”
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ABOUT THE SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
The San Antonio Gunslingers are members of the National Arena League (NAL) and were awarded Franchise of the Year by the NAL for their overall performance during the 2022 season. Gunslingers play all home games at the Freeman Coliseum. Follow the Gunslingers on Facebook at @210sagunslingers, on Twitter @SA_Gunslingers and Instagram @sanantoniogunslingers. For Gunslingers season tickets, group packages or partnerships, visit https://www.sanantoniogunslingers.com/tickets or call (210) 298-6900.