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{{Short description|Former American football franchise}}
{{Short description|Former American football franchise}}
{{Infobox indoor American football team
{{Infobox American football team|name=Arizona Hotshots|logo=ArizonaHotshots.png|logosize=|established=2018|folded=2019|location=[[Tempe, Arizona]]|stadium=[[Sun Devil Stadium]]|coach=[[Rick Neuheisel]]|manager=[[Phil Savage]]|league=[[Alliance of American Football]]|division=Western Conference (2019)|colors=Green, Orange and Yellow<br>{{color box|#114835}} {{color box|#F04925}} {{color box|#FCB42A}}|president=Scott Brubaker}}The '''Arizona Hotshots''' were a professional [[American football]] [[Franchise (sports)|franchise]] based in [[Tempe, Arizona]], and one of the eight members of the [[Alliance of American Football]] (AAF), which played [[2019 AAF season|one season]] from February 2019 to April 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Brandon |title=Phoenix loses Hotshots as AAF suspends operations |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2019/04/02/phoenix-loses-hotshots-as-aaf-suspends-operations.html |website=Phoenix Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> They played their home games at [[Sun Devil Stadium]] on the campus of [[Arizona State University]]. The Hotshots were one of two AAF teams based in a city that already had an NFL team (the [[Arizona Cardinals]]; the other team was the [[Atlanta Legends]], where the NFL's [[Atlanta Falcons|Falcons]] are based). The Hotshots were coached by former [[United States Football League|USFL]] player and college head coach [[Rick Neuheisel]]. Scott Brubaker was the team president and [[Phil Savage]] was the general manager.
| name = Arizona Hotshots
| current =
| logo = ArizonaHotshots.png
| helmet = Arizona Hotshots Helmet 2019.png
| founded = 2018
| folded = 2019
| city = [[Sun Devil Stadium]]<br>in [[Tempe, Arizona]]
| misc = {{URL|aaf.com/arizona-hotshots/}}
| uniform =
| colors = Green, Orange and Yellow<br>{{color box|#114835}} {{color box|#F04925}} {{color box|#FCB42A}}
| coach = [[Rick Neuheisel]]
| owner =
| chairman =
| president = Scott Brubaker
| general manager = [[Phil Savage]]
| mascot =
| nicknames =
| league =
'''[[Alliance of American Football]] (2019)'''
* Western Conference (2019)
| team_history =
* '''Arizona Hotshots (2019)'''
| no_league_champs = 0
| no_conf_champs = 0
| no_div_champs = 0
| league_champs =
| conf_champs =
| div_champs =
| playoff_appearances =
| no_playoff_appearances = 0
| arena_years =
* '''[[Sun Devil Stadium]] (2019)'''
}}


The '''Arizona Hotshots''' were a professional [[American football]] [[Franchise (sports)|franchise]] based in [[Tempe, Arizona]], and one of the eight members of the [[Alliance of American Football]] (AAF), which played [[2019 AAF season|one season]] from February 2019 to April 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Brandon |title=Phoenix loses Hotshots as AAF suspends operations |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2019/04/02/phoenix-loses-hotshots-as-aaf-suspends-operations.html |website=Phoenix Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> They played their home games at [[Sun Devil Stadium]] on the campus of [[Arizona State University]]. The Hotshots were one of two AAF teams based in a city that already had an NFL team (the [[Arizona Cardinals]]; the other team was the [[Atlanta Legends]], where the NFL's [[Atlanta Falcons|Falcons]] are based). The Hotshots were coached by former [[United States Football League|USFL]] player and college head coach [[Rick Neuheisel]]. Scott Brubaker was the team president and [[Phil Savage]] was the general manager.
On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,<ref>{{cite news |author=Kercheval, Ben |title=AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season |url=https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-operations-reportedly-suspended-leagues-future-in-doubt-after-eight-games-of-first-season/ |website=cbssports.com |date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=[[ESPN]]|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/26423928/source-aaf-immediately-suspend-operations|title=AAF to immediately suspend operations|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/04/aaf-keith-reaser-kansas-city-chiefs|title=AAF star Keith Reaser becomes first player to sign NFL deal after league shutdown|first=Nick|last=Schwartz|work=USA Today|date=April 4, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> The league filed for [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]] bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.<ref name=APchap7>{{citation |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/04/17/aaf-alliance-american-football-files-bankruptcy/3500708002/ |title=AAF files for bankruptcy, officially closes down |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |website=[[USA Today]] |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> At the time of the bankruptcy, the Hotshots owed over $1.2 million to [[Arizona State University]] for leasing Sun Devil Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/2019/04/17/aaf-files-bankruptcy-two-weeks-after-halting-operations/3499964002/|title=AAF bankruptcy: Defunct league owes ASU $1.2 million, report says}}</ref>

On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,<ref>{{cite news |author=Kercheval, Ben |title=AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season |url=https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-operations-reportedly-suspended-leagues-future-in-doubt-after-eight-games-of-first-season/ |website=cbssports.com |date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=[[ESPN]]|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/26423928/source-aaf-immediately-suspend-operations|title=AAF to immediately suspend operations|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/04/aaf-keith-reaser-kansas-city-chiefs|title=AAF star Keith Reaser becomes first player to sign NFL deal after league shutdown|first=Nick|last=Schwartz|work=USA Today|date=April 4, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> The league filed for [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]] bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.<ref name=APchap7>{{citation |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/04/17/aaf-alliance-american-football-files-bankruptcy/3500708002/ |title=AAF files for bankruptcy, officially closes down |via=AP |website=[[USA Today]] |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> At the time of the bankruptcy, the Hotshots owed over $1.2 million to [[Arizona State University]] for leasing Sun Devil Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/2019/04/17/aaf-files-bankruptcy-two-weeks-after-halting-operations/3499964002/|title=AAF bankruptcy: Defunct league owes ASU $1.2 million, report says}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Rick Neuheisel was announced as the head coach of the Arizona Hotshots by the Alliance of American Football on May 18, 2018. The team was slated to play at [[Sun Devil Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Benjamin|first1=Cody|title=Former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel will run Alliance of American Football's Phoenix team|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/former-ucla-coach-rick-neuheisel-will-run-alliance-of-american-footballs-phoenix-team/|website=CBSSports.com|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> By September 25, Scott Brubaker and [[Phil Savage]] were named team president and general manager, respectively.<ref name="Arizona Sports">{{cite web |last1=Avila |first1=Ricardo |title=Hotshots: Support, criticism follows new Arizona pro football team's name |url=http://arizonasports.com/story/1680665/hotshots-support-criticism-new-arizona-pro-football-team-name/ |website=Arizona Sports |access-date=October 15, 2018 |date=September 28, 2018}}</ref>
Rick Neuheisel was announced as the head coach of the Arizona Hotshots by the Alliance of American Football on May 18, 2018. The team was slated to play at [[Sun Devil Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Benjamin|first1=Cody|title=Former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel will run Alliance of American Football's Phoenix team|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/former-ucla-coach-rick-neuheisel-will-run-alliance-of-american-footballs-phoenix-team/|website=CBSSports.com|date=18 May 2018 |access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> By September 25, Scott Brubaker and [[Phil Savage]] were named team president and general manager, respectively.<ref name="Arizona Sports">{{cite web |last1=Avila |first1=Ricardo |title=Hotshots: Support, criticism follows new Arizona pro football team's name |url=http://arizonasports.com/story/1680665/hotshots-support-criticism-new-arizona-pro-football-team-name/ |website=Arizona Sports |access-date=October 15, 2018 |date=September 28, 2018}}</ref>


Phoenix's name and logo were revealed on September 25, 2018, as the Arizona Hotshots along with the other three western teams.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benjamin |first1=Cody |title=LOOK: Here's a full list of team names and logos from the Alliance of American Football |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/look-heres-a-full-list-of-team-names-and-logos-from-the-alliance-of-american-football/ |access-date=October 3, 2018 |work=CBSSports.com |date=September 25, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The name is a tribute to the region's firefighters, nicknamed [[Interagency hotshot crew|hotshots]], while the color scheme of green, orange, and yellow are commonly worn by such fire crews. The team's logo is a pair of crossed [[Axe#Axes as tools|pickhead axes]], which are used by structural firefighters and not the wildland firefighters the team is named for.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dale|first=Shane|url=https://www.abc15.com/sports/sports-blogs-local/arizona-hotshots-new-az-pro-football-team-gets-its-nickname|title='Arizona Hotshots': New AZ pro football team gets its nickname|publisher=[[KNXV-TV]]|date=September 25, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018}}</ref> The branding was developed by the national office then handed off to the team staff. Reception of the name was mixed, with some arguing it "exploits the memory of the [[Granite Mountain Hotshots]]."<ref name="Arizona Sports"/> On March 3, 2019, the team retired No. 19 to honor the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the [[Yarnell Hill Fire]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/arizona-hotshots-host-public-safety-salute-and-19-retirement-ceremony-sunday-march-3/n-5452160|title=Arizona Hotshots Host Public Safety Salute and #19 Retirement Ceremony Sunday, March 3|work=Our Sports Central|date=February 25, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcourier.com/news/2019/mar/03/photo-arizona-hotshots-retire-no-19-honor-granite-/|title=Photo: Arizona Hotshots retire No. 19 in honor of Granite Mountain 19|work=The Daily Courier|date=March 3, 2019|access-date=March 4, 2019}}</ref>
Phoenix's name and logo were revealed on September 25, 2018, as the Arizona Hotshots along with the other three western teams.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benjamin |first1=Cody |title=LOOK: Here's a full list of team names and logos from the Alliance of American Football |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/look-heres-a-full-list-of-team-names-and-logos-from-the-alliance-of-american-football/ |access-date=October 3, 2018 |work=CBSSports.com |date=September 25, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The name is a tribute to the region's firefighters, nicknamed [[Interagency hotshot crew|hotshots]], while the color scheme of green, orange, and yellow are commonly worn by such fire crews. The team's logo is a pair of crossed [[Axe#Axes as tools|pickhead axes]], which are used by structural firefighters and not the wildland firefighters the team is named for.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dale|first=Shane|url=https://www.abc15.com/sports/sports-blogs-local/arizona-hotshots-new-az-pro-football-team-gets-its-nickname|title='Arizona Hotshots': New AZ pro football team gets its nickname|publisher=[[KNXV-TV]]|date=September 25, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018}}</ref> The branding was developed by the national office then handed off to the team staff. Reception of the name was mixed, with some arguing it "exploits the memory of the [[Granite Mountain Hotshots]]."<ref name="Arizona Sports"/> On March 3, 2019, the team retired No. 19 to honor the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the [[Yarnell Hill Fire]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/arizona-hotshots-host-public-safety-salute-and-19-retirement-ceremony-sunday-march-3/n-5452160|title=Arizona Hotshots Host Public Safety Salute and #19 Retirement Ceremony Sunday, March 3|work=Our Sports Central|date=February 25, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcourier.com/news/2019/mar/03/photo-arizona-hotshots-retire-no-19-honor-granite-/|title=Photo: Arizona Hotshots retire No. 19 in honor of Granite Mountain 19|work=The Daily Courier|date=March 3, 2019|access-date=March 4, 2019}}</ref>
Line 13: Line 48:
In January 2019, the Hotshots held their preseason camp in San Antonio.<ref name="Arizona Sports"/> They won their season opener at [[Sun Devil Stadium]] on February 10, 2019, against the [[Salt Lake Stallions]].<ref name=azc>{{cite news |title=Alliance of American Football schedule released for Arizona Hotshots, other 7 teams |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/football/2018/10/16/alliance-american-football-arizona-hotshots-2019-schedule/1658993002/ |access-date=November 8, 2018 |work=AZ Central |publisher=USA Today Network |date=October 16, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2019, the Hotshots held their preseason camp in San Antonio.<ref name="Arizona Sports"/> They won their season opener at [[Sun Devil Stadium]] on February 10, 2019, against the [[Salt Lake Stallions]].<ref name=azc>{{cite news |title=Alliance of American Football schedule released for Arizona Hotshots, other 7 teams |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/football/2018/10/16/alliance-american-football-arizona-hotshots-2019-schedule/1658993002/ |access-date=November 8, 2018 |work=AZ Central |publisher=USA Today Network |date=October 16, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


==Final Roster==
==Personnel==
===Staff===
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
|+ colspan="7" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Arizona Hotshots|border=2}};"|'''Arizona Hotshots staff'''
|-
| colspan=7 style="text-align:right;" |
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;vertical-align:top;" |
'''Front office'''
* General manager – [[Phil Savage]]
*Equipment Manager - Scott Rotier

'''Head coaches'''
* Head coach – [[Rick Neuheisel]]

'''Offensive coaches'''
* Quarterbacks – [[Steve Axman]]
* Running backs – [[Andrew Weidinger]]
* Wide receivers – [[Jennifer King]]
* Tight ends – [[Charles Arbuckle]]
* Offensive line – [[Chris Scelfo]]

|width="35"|&nbsp;
| style="vertical-align:top;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;vertical-align:top;" |
'''Defensive coaches'''
* Defensive coordinator – [[Nick Aliotti]]
* Defensive line – [[Ron Aiken]]
* Linebackers – [[Tim Hundley]]
* Defensive backs – [[Mike Gillhamer]]
* Defensive backs – [[Brandon Burton]]

;Special teams coaches
* Special teams/Wide receivers – [[Chris Reinert]]
|}

===Allocation pool===
The Hotshots owned the rights to players from designated schools:<ref>{{cite news |last1=Inabinett |first1=Mark |title=Alabama, Auburn players to go on Birmingham AAF team's assignment list |url=https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2018/07/alabama_auburn_on_birminghams.html |access-date=December 5, 2018 |work=AL.com |publisher=Alabama Media Group |date=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
'''Colleges'''
* [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]]
* [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]]
* [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]]
* [[Nevada Wolf Pack football|Nevada]]
* [[New Mexico Lobos football|New Mexico]]
* [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State]]
{{col-3}}
* [[Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football|Northern Arizona]]
* [[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern]]
* [[Oregon State Beavers football|Oregon State]]
* [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]]
* [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]
* [[UTEP Miners football|UTEP]]
* [[Wake Forest Demon Deacons football|Wake Forest]]
* [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]]
{{col-3}}
The Hotshots also had rights to players unaffiliated with one of the designated schools, but who were most recently affiliated with professional teams:

'''National Football League (NFL)'''
* [[Arizona Cardinals]]
* [[Baltimore Ravens]]
* [[Chicago Bears]]
* [[San Francisco 49ers]]

'''[[Canadian Football League]] (CFL)'''
* [[Edmonton Eskimos]]
{{col-end}}

Players not affiliated with any of the designated teams could sign with any AAF team.

===Final roster===
{{AAF final roster
{{AAF final roster
|year=2019
|year=2019
Line 78: Line 186:
{{AAFplayer|45|Rahim Moore|FS}}
{{AAFplayer|45|Rahim Moore|FS}}
{{AAFplayer|25|Sterling Moore|CB}}
{{AAFplayer|25|Sterling Moore|CB}}
{{AAFplayer|21|Robert Nelson|d=American football|CB}}
{{AAFplayer|21|Robert Nelson|d=defensive back|CB}}
{{AAFplayer|35|Shaquille Richardson|CB|}}
{{AAFplayer|35|Shaquille Richardson|CB|}}
{{AAFplayer|37|Kieron Williams|SS}}
{{AAFplayer|37|Kieron Williams|SS}}
Line 104: Line 212:
| League=Alliance of American Football
| League=Alliance of American Football
}}
}}

===Allocation pool===
The Hotshots owned the rights to players from designated schools:<ref>{{cite news |last1=Inabinett |first1=Mark |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Alabama, Auburn players to go on Birmingham AAF team's assignment list |work=AL.com |publisher=Alabama Media Group |url=https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2018/07/alabama_auburn_on_birminghams.html |access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
'''Colleges'''
* [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]]
* [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]]
* [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]]
* [[Nevada Wolf Pack football|Nevada]]
* [[New Mexico Lobos football|New Mexico]]
* [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State]]
{{col-3}}
* [[Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football|Northern Arizona]]
* [[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern]]
* [[Oregon State Beavers football|Oregon State]]
* [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]]
* [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]
* [[UTEP Miners football|UTEP]]
* [[Wake Forest Demon Deacons football|Wake Forest]]
* [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]]
{{col-3}}
The Hotshots also had rights to players unaffiliated with one of the designated schools, but who were most recently affiliated with professional teams:

'''National Football League (NFL)'''
* [[Arizona Cardinals]]
* [[Baltimore Ravens]]
* [[Chicago Bears]]
* [[San Francisco 49ers]]

'''[[Canadian Football League]] (CFL)'''
* [[Edmonton Eskimos]]
{{col-end}}

Players not affiliated with any of the designated teams could sign with any AAF team.

== Staff ==
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
|+ style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Arizona Hotshots|border=2}};" colspan="7" |'''Arizona Hotshots staff'''
|-
| colspan="7" style="text-align:right;" |
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;vertical-align:top;" |
'''Front office'''
* General manager – [[Phil Savage]]
*Equipment Manager - Scott Rotier

'''Head coaches'''
* Head coach – [[Rick Neuheisel]]

'''Offensive coaches'''
* Quarterbacks – [[Steve Axman]]
* Running backs – [[Andrew Weidinger]]
* Wide receivers – [[Jennifer King]]
* Tight ends – [[Charles Arbuckle]]
* Offensive line – [[Chris Scelfo]]

| width="35" |&nbsp;
| style="vertical-align:top;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;vertical-align:top;" |
'''Defensive coaches'''
* Defensive coordinator – [[Nick Aliotti]]
* Defensive line – [[Ron Aiken]]
* Linebackers – [[Tim Hundley]]
* Defensive backs – [[Mike Gillhamer]]
* Defensive backs – [[Brandon Burton]]

;Special teams coaches
* Special teams/Wide receivers – [[Chris Reinert]]
|}

== Notable Former Players ==

* [[Nick Folk]] - Current [[New England Patriots]] Kicker
* [[Josh Huff]] - Former [[Philadelphia Eagles]] Wide Receiver, 2014 3rd Round Pick
* [[Steven Johnson (American football)|Steven Johnson]] - Former NFL 7 Year Veteran
* [[Rahim Moore]] - Former [[Denver Broncos]] Defensive Back, 2011 2nd Round Pick
* [[John Wolford]] - Current [[Los Angeles Rams]] Quarterback


==2019 season==
==2019 season==
Line 243: Line 271:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| February 10
| February 10
| 6:00 p.m.
| 6:00&nbsp;p.m.
| [[NFL Network|NFLN]]
| [[NFL Network|NFLN]]
| [[2019 Salt Lake Stallions season|Salt Lake Stallions]]
| [[2019 Salt Lake Stallions season|Salt Lake Stallions]]
Line 253: Line 281:
| Saturday
| Saturday
| February 16
| February 16
| 6:00 p.m.
| 6:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| at [[2019 Memphis Express season|Memphis Express]]
| at [[2019 Memphis Express season|Memphis Express]]
Line 263: Line 291:
| Saturday
| Saturday
| February 23
| February 23
| 1:00 p.m.
| 1:00&nbsp;p.m.
| [[B/R Live]]
| [[B/R Live]]
| at [[2019 Salt Lake Stallions season|Salt Lake Stallions]]
| at [[2019 Salt Lake Stallions season|Salt Lake Stallions]]
Line 273: Line 301:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| March 3
| March 3
| 6:00 p.m.
| 6:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| [[2019 Atlanta Legends season|Atlanta Legends]]
| [[2019 Atlanta Legends season|Atlanta Legends]]
Line 283: Line 311:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| March 10
| March 10
| 5:00 p.m.
| 5:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| [[2019 San Antonio Commanders season|San Antonio Commanders]]
| [[2019 San Antonio Commanders season|San Antonio Commanders]]
Line 293: Line 321:
| Saturday
| Saturday
| March 16
| March 16
| 5:00 p.m.
| 5:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| at [[2019 Orlando Apollos season|Orlando Apollos]]
| at [[2019 Orlando Apollos season|Orlando Apollos]]
Line 303: Line 331:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| March 24
| March 24
| 1:00 p.m.
| 1:00&nbsp;p.m.
| [[CBS Sports Network|CBSSN]]
| [[CBS Sports Network|CBSSN]]
| [[2019 San Diego Fleet season|San Diego Fleet]]
| [[2019 San Diego Fleet season|San Diego Fleet]]
Line 313: Line 341:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| March 31
| March 31
| 5:00 p.m.
| 5:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| at [[2019 San Antonio Commanders season|San Antonio Commanders]]
| at [[2019 San Antonio Commanders season|San Antonio Commanders]]
Line 323: Line 351:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| April 7
| April 7
| 5:00 p.m.
| 5:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| [[2019 Birmingham Iron season|Birmingham Iron]]
| [[2019 Birmingham Iron season|Birmingham Iron]]
Line 332: Line 360:
| Sunday
| Sunday
| April 14
| April 14
| 5:00 p.m.
| 5:00&nbsp;p.m.
| NFLN
| NFLN
| at [[2019 San Diego Fleet season|San Diego Fleet]]
| at [[2019 San Diego Fleet season|San Diego Fleet]]
| [[SDCCU Stadium]]
| [[SDCCU Stadium]]
|}
|}
<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Arizona Hotshots Schedule |url=https://fbschedules.com/arizona-hotshots-schedule/ |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Arizona Hotshots Schedule |url=https://fbschedules.com/arizona-hotshots-schedule/ |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014530/https://fbschedules.com/arizona-hotshots-schedule/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Game summaries===
===Game summaries===
Line 716: Line 744:
[[Category:2018 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:2018 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:2019 disestablishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:2019 disestablishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:American football teams established in 2018]]
[[Category:American football teams disestablished in 2019]]

Latest revision as of 18:46, 1 September 2024

Arizona Hotshots
Established 2018
Folded 2019
Played in Sun Devil Stadium
in Tempe, Arizona
aaf.com/arizona-hotshots/
League/conference affiliations
Alliance of American Football (2019)
  • Western Conference (2019)
Current uniform
Team colorsGreen, Orange and Yellow
     
Personnel
PresidentScott Brubaker
General managerPhil Savage
Head coachRick Neuheisel
Team history
  • Arizona Hotshots (2019)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

The Arizona Hotshots were a professional American football franchise based in Tempe, Arizona, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which played one season from February 2019 to April 2019.[1] They played their home games at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University. The Hotshots were one of two AAF teams based in a city that already had an NFL team (the Arizona Cardinals; the other team was the Atlanta Legends, where the NFL's Falcons are based). The Hotshots were coached by former USFL player and college head coach Rick Neuheisel. Scott Brubaker was the team president and Phil Savage was the general manager.

On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,[2][3] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[4] The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.[5] At the time of the bankruptcy, the Hotshots owed over $1.2 million to Arizona State University for leasing Sun Devil Stadium.[6]

History

[edit]

Rick Neuheisel was announced as the head coach of the Arizona Hotshots by the Alliance of American Football on May 18, 2018. The team was slated to play at Sun Devil Stadium.[7] By September 25, Scott Brubaker and Phil Savage were named team president and general manager, respectively.[8]

Phoenix's name and logo were revealed on September 25, 2018, as the Arizona Hotshots along with the other three western teams.[9] The name is a tribute to the region's firefighters, nicknamed hotshots, while the color scheme of green, orange, and yellow are commonly worn by such fire crews. The team's logo is a pair of crossed pickhead axes, which are used by structural firefighters and not the wildland firefighters the team is named for.[10] The branding was developed by the national office then handed off to the team staff. Reception of the name was mixed, with some arguing it "exploits the memory of the Granite Mountain Hotshots."[8] On March 3, 2019, the team retired No. 19 to honor the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013.[11][12]

On October 11, 2018, the team named Hugh Freeze as the offensive coordinator and the rest of the coaching staff.[13] In the 2019 AAF QB Draft, the Hotshots did not protect the assigned (by geographical method) quarterback Mike Bercovici in the first round and instead selected Trevor Knight for his speed.[14] The final 52-man roster was set on January 30.[15]

In January 2019, the Hotshots held their preseason camp in San Antonio.[8] They won their season opener at Sun Devil Stadium on February 10, 2019, against the Salt Lake Stallions.[16]

Personnel

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Staff

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Arizona Hotshots staff

Front office

  • General manager – Phil Savage
  • Equipment Manager - Scott Rotier

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Allocation pool

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The Hotshots owned the rights to players from designated schools:[17]

Players not affiliated with any of the designated teams could sign with any AAF team.

Final roster

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2019 Arizona Hotshots final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Rights list

  • Vacant


52 Active, 4 Inactive

2019 season

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2019 Arizona Hotshots season
General managerPhil Savage
Head coachRick Neuheisel
Home fieldSun Devil Stadium
Results
Record5–3
League place1st (tie), Western Conference

Arizona Hotshots

Final standings

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2019 Alliance of American Football standings
Eastern Conference
Club W–L PCT CONF PF PA DIFF SOS SOV STK
(x) – Orlando Apollos 7–1 .875 5–0 236 136 100 .406 .375 W2
(x) – Birmingham Iron 5–3 .625 3–2 165 133 32 .406 .300 W1
(e) – Memphis Express 2–6 .250 1–4 152 194 -42 .578 .500 L1
(e) – Atlanta Legends 2–6 .250 1–4 88 213 -125 .609 .438 L3
Western Conference
Club W–L PCT CONF PF PA DIFF SOS SOV STK
San Antonio Commanders 5–3 .625 3–2 158 154 4 .516 .450 L1
Arizona Hotshots 5–3 .625 3–2 186 144 42 .469 .500 W3
San Diego Fleet 3–5 .375 2–3 158 161 -3 .469 .417 L3
Salt Lake Stallions 3–5 .375 2–3 135 143 -8 .547 .417 W1
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Schedule

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Preseason

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Week Day Date Opponent Results Location
Score Record
– Monday January 28 at Birmingham Iron W 37–17 Alamodome

Regular season

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All times local to Tempe, as Arizona does not use daylight saving time. Arizona's year-round MST is equivalent to PDT after March 9.

Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 Sunday February 10 6:00 p.m. NFLN Salt Lake Stallions W 38–22 1–0 Sun Devil Stadium
2 Saturday February 16 6:00 p.m. NFLN at Memphis Express W 20–18 2–0 Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
3 Saturday February 23 1:00 p.m. B/R Live at Salt Lake Stallions L 15–23 2–1 Rice–Eccles Stadium
4 Sunday March 3 6:00 p.m. NFLN Atlanta Legends L 11–14 2–2 Sun Devil Stadium
5 Sunday March 10 5:00 p.m. NFLN San Antonio Commanders L 25–29 2–3 Sun Devil Stadium
6 Saturday March 16 5:00 p.m. NFLN at Orlando Apollos W 22–17 3–3 Spectrum Stadium
7 Sunday March 24 1:00 p.m. CBSSN San Diego Fleet W 32–15 4–3 Sun Devil Stadium
8 Sunday March 31 5:00 p.m. NFLN at San Antonio Commanders W 23–6 5–3 Alamodome
9 Sunday April 7 5:00 p.m. NFLN Birmingham Iron Not played Sun Devil Stadium
10 Sunday April 14 5:00 p.m. NFLN at San Diego Fleet SDCCU Stadium

[18]

Game summaries

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Week 1: Salt Lake

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Week One: Salt Lake Stallions at Arizona Hotshots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Stallions 0 16 0622
Hotshots 8 11 16338

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Week 2: at Memphis

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Week Two: Arizona Hotshots at Memphis Express – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hotshots 0 0 61420
Express 9 3 0618

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Game information

Week 3: at Salt Lake

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Week Three: Arizona Hotshots at Salt Lake Stallions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hotshots 0 9 3315
Stallions 3 6 6823

at Rice–Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah

Game information

Week 4: Atlanta

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Week Four: Atlanta Legends at Arizona Hotshots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Legends 2 6 0614
Hotshots 0 3 0811

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Week 5: San Antonio

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Week Five: San Antonio Commanders at Arizona Hotshots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Commanders 14 12 0329
Hotshots 0 0 81725

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Week 6: at Orlando

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Week Six: Arizona Hotshots at Orlando Apollos – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hotshots 3 11 0822
Apollos 6 3 0817

at Spectrum Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Game information

In an upset, the Hotshots beat the Apollos to ruin their chances at a perfect season. (They fall to 5–1) With the win, they improve to 3–3.

Week 7: San Diego

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Week Seven: San Diego Fleet at Arizona Hotshots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Fleet 9 6 0015
Hotshots 9 14 0932

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Week 8: at San Antonio

[edit]
Week Eight: Arizona Hotshots at San Antonio Commanders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hotshots 6 9 0823
Commanders 0 3 306

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Game information

Media

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In addition to league-wide television coverage through NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, TNT, and B/R Live, Hotshots' games were also broadcast on local radio by KDUS, an NBC Sports Radio affiliate.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Brown, Brandon. "Phoenix loses Hotshots as AAF suspends operations". Phoenix Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  2. ^ Kercheval, Ben (April 2, 2019). "AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  3. ^ "AAF to immediately suspend operations". ESPN. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  4. ^ Schwartz, Nick (April 4, 2019). "AAF star Keith Reaser becomes first player to sign NFL deal after league shutdown". USA Today. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  5. ^ "AAF files for bankruptcy, officially closes down", USA Today, April 17, 2019, retrieved April 17, 2019 – via AP
  6. ^ "AAF bankruptcy: Defunct league owes ASU $1.2 million, report says".
  7. ^ Benjamin, Cody (18 May 2018). "Former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel will run Alliance of American Football's Phoenix team". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Avila, Ricardo (September 28, 2018). "Hotshots: Support, criticism follows new Arizona pro football team's name". Arizona Sports. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  9. ^ Benjamin, Cody (September 25, 2018). "LOOK: Here's a full list of team names and logos from the Alliance of American Football". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  10. ^ Dale, Shane (September 25, 2018). "'Arizona Hotshots': New AZ pro football team gets its nickname". KNXV-TV. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  11. ^ "Arizona Hotshots Host Public Safety Salute and #19 Retirement Ceremony Sunday, March 3". Our Sports Central. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "Photo: Arizona Hotshots retire No. 19 in honor of Granite Mountain 19". The Daily Courier. March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  13. ^ Higgins, Ron (October 11, 2018). "Ex-Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze hired as offensive coordinator with Arizona AAF team". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. USA Today Network. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Somers, Kent (November 28, 2018). "AAF draft: Arizona Hotshots think they found their man in quarterback Trevor Knight". AZ Central. USA Today Network. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  15. ^ "Arizona Hotshots set final roster". Alliance of American Football. January 30, 2019. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  16. ^ "Alliance of American Football schedule released for Arizona Hotshots, other 7 teams". AZ Central. USA Today Network. October 16, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  17. ^ Inabinett, Mark (July 12, 2018). "Alabama, Auburn players to go on Birmingham AAF team's assignment list". AL.com. Alabama Media Group. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  18. ^ "2019 Arizona Hotshots Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  19. ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 1, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  20. ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 13, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 2, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  21. ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 22, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 3, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  22. ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 27, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 4, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  23. ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 5, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  24. ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 14, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 6, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  25. ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 21, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 7, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  26. ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 28, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 8, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  27. ^ "Arizona Hotshots". nbcsports1060.com. 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.[permanent dead link‍]

Further reading

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