The Philadelphia Stars announced their coaching staff for the 2023 season on Wednesday. Michael Woods is the team’s General Manager.
Head Coach: Bart Andrus
Bart Andrus returns for his second season as the Stars’ head coach. Andrus led Philadelphia to a 6-4 record last year and made it to the USFL Championship Game in Canton, Ohio. Andrus has coached in many leagues from the CFL, UFL, The Spring League, and NFL Europe.
He led the Amsterdam Admirals to win World Bowl XIII 27-21 over the Berlin Thunder. It was the Admirals’ first championship. Before the USFL, Andrus coached the Generals of The Spring League and won the 2020 championship.
Wide receivers/Passing Game Coach: Marcel Bellefeuille
Marcel Bellefeuille served as the wide receivers coach in 2022 and now will take on Passing Game coach as well. Tight End Bug Howard and wide receiver Jordan Suell finished in the top ten in receiving yards and touchdowns last year.
Before the USFL, Bellefeuille coached in the CFL with Saskatchewan, Montreal, Hamilton, Winnipeg, and British Columbia. In addition, he coached U Sports with Ottawa and Queen’s.
O-Line/ Run Game Coach: Jeff Jagodzinski
Jeff Jagodzinski returns as the offensive line/ running game coach. He was the Stars’ offensive line coach in 2022. The offensive line helped quarterback Case Cookus complete 130 of 208 passes (62.5%) for 1,334 yards, 12 touchdowns, five interceptions, 22 carries for 217 yards, and one touchdown in nine games Jagodzinski coached Boston College for two seasons with a 20-8 record, leading the Eagles to two ACC Championship appearances.
In addition, he coached the Omaha Nighthawks (UFL). Before joining the Stars, he was the offensive line coach for Panthers Wroclaw (ELF).
Tight End Coach: Glenn Smith
Glenn Smith returns as the Stars’ tight end coach. Before the Stars, he was a member of the Dallas Cowboys staff. Under Smith, Bug Howard finished second in receiving with 30 catches for 371 yards and four touchdowns in the 2022 season. In addition, tight end Pro Wells caught three passes for 55 yards and one touchdown in ten games for the Stars in 2022.
Running Back Coach: Ryan Meyers
Ryan Meyers is a new coach coming to the Stars. He was an assistant coach at Norfolk State. In 2022, he was elevated to offensive coordinator at Norfolk State.
In 2021, the Spartans led the MEAC in total offense (440.5 YPG) and scoring offense (33.2), setting school Division I era single-season record. In addition, Meyers spent one season as the quarterbacks coach of the XFL’s Dallas Renegades.
Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers Coach: Brad Miller
Brad Miller returns as Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker coach. The Stars finished sixth in defense allowing 215 points (21.5 PA/G), 345.8 yards per game, 25 sacks, 13 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, 51 pass breakups, and one safety.
Before the USFL, Miller was a member of the Green Bay Packers coaching staff. In addition, he had coaching stints in the CFL for Edmonton, Montreal, Hamilton, and Saskatchewan.
Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coach: Martin Bayless
Martin Bayless will enter his second season as the Stars’ defensive backs/special teams coach. The Stars led the league with 40 kick returns for 1,112 yards (27.8 K-RET AVG) and 13 punt returns for 164 yards (12.6 P-RET AVG). In addition, defensive back Channing Stribling led the league with seven interceptions for 121 yards.
Bayless played 13 seasons in the NFL and before joining the Stars was a Special teams coordinator & Safeties coach for the Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) in 2020. In addition, he was on the coaching staff of the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts.
Defensive Line Coach: Brandon McGuire
Brandon McGuire returns as the Defensive Line coach in 2022. The Stars had two players finish in the top-15 with Adam Rodriguez making 28 tackles and nine sacks, while Freedom Akinmoladun had 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Before the USFL, McGuire coached in college with Holy Cross, Northern Colorado, Montana Tech, Langston, and Montana.
Defensive Line Assistant Coach: Brandon Noble
Brandon Noble is a new addition to the Stars coaching. He will be the Defensive Line Assistant Coach. Noble is a Defensive Coordinator for Downingtown East High School.
Noble played nine NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Barcelona Dragons, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins.
He retired from football after the 2005 season and became a linebackers coach and later defensive line coach at West Chester University. In addition, he was a defensive line coach for the Omaha Nighthawks (UFL), Coastal Carolina in 2012, and Temple in 2013.
