The Cedar Rapids River Kings has announced the appointment of Mark Stoute as the team’s head coach in preparation for the 2019 IFL season.

Stoute will return to Cedar Rapids where he coached the Titans from 2012-2016 and took a four-win team in 2012 to four-straight playoff appearances (2013-16) with an overall record of 40-17. He was named the 2013 IFL Coach of the Year and helped the Cedar Rapids franchise earn the distinction as the 2014 IFL Franchise of the Year.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to add a coach that is not only familiar with the market but was a proven winner in Cedar Rapids as well,” said River Kings General Manager Ryan Eucker. “I believe he [Soute] gives us a great opportunity to be competitive right away and aligns perfectly with the direction that we intend to take this franchise.”

Prior to Cedar Rapids, Stoute was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Milwaukee Iron of the Arena Football League (2009-2012) who won the 2010 Midwest Division Championship with a 12-6 record. During his time in Milwaukee, Stoute played a pivotal role in rewriting the Iron and AFL record books while finishing #1 in the AFL in almost every offensive category.

As the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2005-2009) for the Green Bay Blizzard, while they were a member of the af2, Stoute helped the franchise to playoff appearances in five consecutive seasons including an American Conference Championship in 2006 and Arena Cup appearance. His responsibilities also extended into player personnel-related operations, where he helped place 45 players into the AFL and CFL over a three-year span as the team achieved a team record of 44-24. He also spent the 2007 regular season assisting the league with the Laredo Lobos franchise.

Stoute’s AFL experience extends back to 1995 with the Connecticut Coyotes. He also spent time with the Charlotte Rage (1996), Florida Bobcats (1997-98), New England Sea Wolves (1998-2000) who later sold to an ownership group that made them the Toronto Phantoms (2000-02), the Indiana Firebirds (2003-04), and Tampa Bay Storm (2004-2005). He also spent 2002-03 with the af2’s Mohegan Wolves.

“It is great to return to the Cedar Rapids community and to get to work with new owners Roy Choi and Matt Stone along with Ryan,” said Stoute. “ Their vision for creating a top rated IFL organization along with one of the best fan bases in all of indoor football truly set this opportunity apart from any other.”

Over the last two years, Stoute spent time with the Jacksonville Sharks of the AFL and NAL (2016-17). He was also with the Nebraska Danger of the IFL to begin the 2017-18 season.

Mark currently resides in Connecticut. He attended Kentucky State University in Frankfort where he majored in Business Management and Computer Science. He has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1995 and during the Fall, works with an area High School football program.

 Head Coach Mark Stoute and the River Kings will be making announcements in the future regarding his coaching staff. For additional questions about the Cedar Rapids IFL franchise, contact General Manager Ryan Eucker at [email protected].

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September 25, 2018

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