Staff

Tom Menas

Head Coach

A former NFL and USFL player, Menas has an extensive coaching background. He was linebackers and running back coach for the Arena Football League's Detroit Fury from 2001 to 2003. Menas served as defensive line coach for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts from 2004 to 2006, winning a Grey Cup in 2005.

He went into private coaching and athletic training until resurfacing with the Oakland (Mich.) club team, first as defensive coordinator and later as head coach. He had a two-year record of 23-1 at Oakland, winning the National Club Football Association championship in 2016.

Menas spent 2018 as head coach of the Oakland County Racers of the Rivals Professional Football League and in 2019 was offensive/defensive line and special teams coach of the IFL's Green Bay Blizzard.

For the 18 months prior to signing with the Empire, Menas spent his time in New Jersey, as assistant head coach for the NAL's Jersey Flight.

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Damon Ware

Offensive Coordinator

Damon Ware joins the Albany Empire in 2021 as the Offensive Coordinator after spending the 2020 shortened season with the Omaha Beef as their Offensive Coordinator. In 2019, Ware spent the IFL season with the Nebraska Danger as their Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach. In Nebraska, Ware helped lead the Danger to the third ranked rushing attack in the Indoor Football League, along with the #1 rusher in the league and Rookie of the Year Tommy Armstrong (Nebraska).

In 2018, Ware served as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator for the Cedar Rapids Titans where he led the #1 passing offense in the IFL. Ware’s Quarterback Jake Medlock (Florida International) led the Indoor Football League in passing yards per game and passing touchdowns. In 2017, Ware also held the title of Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator for the Colorado Crush. Ware was the Head Coach for the Cheyenne Warriors from 2012-2013 seasons competing in the American Professional Football League. Also in 2013, Ware was the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator for Adams City High School. In 2011, Ware was the Head Coach of the Calanda Broncos team in Switzerland. The team finished undefeated in Switzerland winning the Swiss Bowl national championship. Ware’s team finished ranked first in both offense and defense along with the #5 ranking in all of Europe.

In 2010, Ware was the Head Coach for the Finland Oulu Northern Lights and led them to the championship game. In 2009, Ware served as the Head Coach/General Manager of the Denver Titans of the American Professional Football League. In 2008, Ware worked as the Quarterbacks Coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Ware also served as Head Coach/General Manager for the Black Hills Red Dogs of the National Indoor Football League from 2004-2005.

Ware coached for William Hinkley High School from 1998-2000 and returned from 2002-2003. During his high school tenure, Ware served as a coordinator for both offense, defense, and special teams. In his tenure at William Hinkley High School, Ware’s teams won 2 Conference Championships including the first undefeated conference championship in school history, coached an offensive player of the year, coached a defensive player of the year, and broke the state record with his defensive secondary amassing 28 interceptions with 9 returned for touchdowns.

In 2001, Coach Ware was honored with the opportunity to coach with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) through the Minority Internship Fellowship program. Ware worked as an assistant wide receivers coach.

Ware holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science/Psychology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Away from coaching, Ware is a real estate investor specializing in older farmhouses along with being the owner of a digital marketing company and children’s bilingual book company. Ware and his wife, Nanie, live in Texas with their son, Dario.

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Sergio Gilliam

Defensive Coordinator

Coaching: Coach Gilliam graduated from Greer High School and attended Clemson University. Coach Gilliam coached one year at his alma mater Greer High School in Greer, SC as the WR/DB assistant/intern and one year at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh, PA as the WR/DB coach. After playing arena football, Coach Gilliam began his coaching of the arena game in 2017 with the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (IFL) as DC/DB coach, the Massachusetts Pirates (NAL) in 2018 as DB coach, and the Atlantic City Blackjacks (AFL) in 2019 as DC/DB coach.

Professional: Coach Gilliam spent Rookie Camp with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2007. In 2008, Coach Gilliam was in the AF2 for the Spokane Shock, where he added 50.5 tackles and 25 pass break-ups in his first season. With a solid 2008 season in which Coach Gilliam set the AF2 league record with 16 picks, adding 4 picks in playoffs and was named the AF2 Rookie of the Year and first-team All-AF2. In 2009, Coach Gilliam was second in the league with 13 interceptions and was named second-team All-AF2, along with a championship. After making it to the AFL in 2010 – 2016, Coach Gilliam’s AFL career earned stops with the Arizona Rattlers, Oklahoma City Yarddawgs, Kansas City Bridgade, Pittsburgh Power, Portland Thunder, and China Shanghai Skywalkers China Arena Football League (CAFL).

College: Coach Gilliam was a two-year starter at Clemson University in his home state of South Carolina, where he and played in the 2006 Hula Bowl after his senior campaign. He was a four-time letter winner, credited with 64 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 1 touchdown over his career.

Personal: Coach Gilliam was an all-state performer in three sports at Greer High School. He was twice all-state in football WR/DB after leading the state in interceptions as a junior (13) and senior (10), and a 2002 Shrine Bowl Participant. He also earned all-state recognition and team MVP awards in basketball, and track as a 4x100 state champion. Coach Gilliam received his Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation from Clemson University in 2010. Born January 29, 1985, he has one daughter Violet Gilliam (5).

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Dave Mogensen

Director of Player Personnel

Dave Mogensen comes to the Empire with an extensive coaching background in the World of indoor football.

He got his break into as the offensive coordinator for the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2008, where he was brought in mid-season to help turn around a struggling franchise, ultimately helping them earn their first ever franchise victory. He parlayed that success into a position with the expansion Wisconsin Wolfpack of the CIFL in 2009. With the Wolfpack Dave wore dual hats working as both on the field and in the front office as Offensive Coordinator and Director of Player Personnel. He was the architect of building the roster that helped the Wolfpack reach the playoffs in their inaugural year as well as make the CIFL championship in 2010, where they lost to the Billy Back led Cincinnati Commandos. After the Wolfpack ceased operations Mogensen took a position with the Milwaukee Iron of the Af2 before moving to coach college football at UW-Milwaukee. After 6 years as the HC at UWM, Mogensen made his way back to the indoor game, once again stepping into a struggling franchise mid-season, this time with the Green Bay Blizzard of the IFL in 2018. Dave came in as the Offensive Coordinator and helped stabilize the team, leading them to a respected finish to the season. He signed to come back for the 2019 season where he also contributed to player personnel, recruiting and signing a majority of the Offensive core that would help lead the Blizzard to secure their first IFL playoff appearance in 7 years. Mogensen was set to return to the Blizzard in 2020 before their season was cancelled. As the Director of Player Personnel for the Empire he will work with newly hired Head Coach Tom Menas to build a championship roster.

"Albany is one of the premier indoor football cities in the country, it is a great honor to work with Coach Menas to continue to build upon the great legacy of Albany football and add some new chapters of championship football"

Phil Menas

Assistant to the Director of Player Personnel and Scouting

Graduate of Central Michigan University. Had the advantage of being around professional football from an early age thanks to his father, Head Coach Tom Menas. Coming in with a background in coaching, scouting, and personnel at both the collegiate and professional level. Menas has experience winning titles and his goal is to help assemble a roster to bring a championship to Albany.

Phil enjoys spending his off-season living in St. Clair Shores, Michigan with his wife, Talia, and their daughter, Lilianna.

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Joe Sykes

Defensive Line Coach

A native of Grenada, Mississippi and graduate of Grenada High School, Trumaine "Joe" Sykes played football at Holmes Community College for the 2001-2003.

Sykes went on to be a leader on and off the football field at Holmes. As an outstanding defensive end he was named NJCAA All-American. Sykes had several scholarship offers from Auburn, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Temple and West Virginia University which he committed to in 2003.

After West Virginia, he also played at Southern University where he was named first team All-SWAC. Sykes entered the NFL as an un-drafted free agent in 2006 for the Washington Redskins. Then Sykes went on to play to play a successful career in the Canadian Football League for several years before trying his talent in National Arena League.

Sykes was awarded Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2018 while playing for the Albany Empire in New York. In 2019, Sykes won Defensive Lineman of the Year award for the fifth time in his career. Sykes was part of the team that won the Arena Bowl XXXII. After the big season success in 2019 Sykes retired from the sport being the all -time AFL leader in Sacks.

Sykes lives in New York with his family and football continues to be a part of his life. Now he helps youth get ready and plan to be successful on the field teaching them all the things he did not know when he started his career.

Paul Brace

Equipment Manager

Paul Brace joins the Albany Empire in 2021 as the Head Equipment Manager after spending the shortened 2020 season with The Tampa Bay Rowdies as their head equipment manager. From 2017 to 2019 Brace spent time with The Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant equipment manager. Brace also spent 15 years with The Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL as their head equipment manager.

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