John Fourcade named head coach of local indoor football team

NEW ORLEANS -- Local American Indoor Football team Louisana Cottonmouths have hired former New Orleans Saints quarterback and Gretna native John Fourcade as head coach.

During his college career, Fourcade surpassed many of Archie Manning's records at the University of Mississippi, but he was not drafted by the NFL. Fourcade played in the Canadian Football League, arena football and USFL and attended camp with both the Saints and the New York Giants.

It wasn't until 1987 that Fourcade was picked up by the Saints as a replacement during the strike. During the 1989 season, Fourcade started in the last three games over Bobby Hebert.

Louisiana Cottomouths' owners Chris and Samantha Conway said Fourcade will be a great asset to the organization and to the fans.

"We are determined to bringing a Championship to the Great State of Louisiana and John Fourcade is what we needed to bringing us one step closer to a Championship.'

The Louisiana Cottonmouths became a part of the AIF earlier this month along with the team in Slidell, La, Northshore Gators.

The two teams are a part of AIF West which also includes Corpus Christi Fury, New Mexico Stars, Steel City Menace, Abilene Warriors and Texas Stealth.

Northshore Gators will play home games in the Ponchatrain Convention & Civic Center, a 5,000 seat arena. Activities for kids and special half-time performers are also in the works for the new team.

AIF West will kick off in March of 2016 and conclude with the AIF National Championship in June.