Reviewed by: Pat Byington
New Montgomery Catfish arena football franchise taps first head coach
Reading time: 3 minutes
Professional arena football is officially taking shape in Alabama’s capital city, and the local franchise just reached a major milestone.
The Montgomery Catfish have officially hired Julius “Coach Deuce” Gregory as the first head coach in franchise history. Gregory will lead the new team into its inaugural season in the American Arena League in 2027.
Who is Julius “Coach Deuce” Gregory?
The team said Coach Gregory brings a wealth of hands-on indoor football experience to the Montgomery Catfish sideline, having built a solid reputation across arena football as both an elite player and a sharp strategist.
Beyond his gridiron resume, Gregory earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Psychology from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduating cum laude. Franchise owner Christopher Smith cited Gregory’s rare combination of academic distinction, elite playmaking background and leadership quality as the deciding factors in bringing him to Montgomery.
“As we build this franchise from the ground up, it was important to find someone who truly knows arena football. Coach Gregory has lived this game. He understands what it takes to compete, how to build a winning culture, and how to prepare players for success.”
Christopher Smith, owner of the Montgomery Catfish
Gregory promised relentless discipline and community involvement:
“I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled… Our mission extends far beyond the scoreboard. We are here to build men of character, represent this community with pride, and establish a culture that demands the best of us.”
Julius “Coach Deuce” Gregory – head coach of the Montgomery Catfish
What to expect for the Montgomery Catfish inaugural 2027 season
With a head coach now locked in, the Montgomery Catfish franchise is steadily turning its vision into reality. The team plans to broadcast every game live on YouTube during the 2027 season while building out its inaugural player roster.
However, one major piece of the puzzle remains up in the air: the team has still not announced where its home games will be played. Fans can expect venue details and ticket updates closer to kickoff as arena logistics are finalized.
Are you ready to welcome arena football back to Montgomery in 2027—and where do you hope to see the team play its home games? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.
