Pacific Pro Football, also called Pacific Pro League (Pac Pro), was a planned professional American football development league.[2] The league was to be a single entity, owning all the teams, and have played during summers from July to August.[3] The league was planning to start play in July 2020. As of January 2019, the league's advisory board consisted of Mike Shanahan, Jim Steeg, Mike Pereira, Baron Flenory, and Steve Schmidt.[4]
 | |
| Classification | Developmental |
|---|---|
| Sport | American football |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder |
|
| First season | 2020 (planned) |
| CEO | Jamie Hemann |
| Commissioner | Ed McCaffrey |
| No. of teams | 4 (planned) |
| Country | US |
| Sponsor(s) | Adidas |
| Related competitions | HUB Football |
| Official website | pacificprofootball |
League plans were abandoned as of May 2020,[5] and reformatted to a scouting event called HUB Football.[6]
Background
editDon Yee, best known as the sports agent for Tom Brady, has advocated for years for college football players to be paid, particularly via a 2010 op-ed in The Washington Post.[7] Yee would have "football corporations" purchase college football programs through bids leading to the end of the NCAA, with colleges focusing on education.[3] Yee and other sports agents saw that young players were not being served by the existing college football system.[8]
History
editThe league was announced by Yee on January 11, 2017.[2][9] The league had planned to start recruiting in 2017 and then play in the summer of 2018 with four teams.[2][9] The league's COO Bradley Edwards indicated that they had closed a round of angel investing;[9] although as of May 2017, the league was looking for additional investors.[3]
By February 2018, the league pushed its start back to the summer of 2019, and signed on Adidas as a major sponsor.[10] Jamie Hemann was hired in December 2018 as CEO, to start on January 1, 2019. Also revealed at the time was that the league start had been pushed back to July 2020.[11] On January 7, 2019, it was announced that former NFL player Ed McCaffrey would serve as commissioner.[12] The July 2020 date for launch of the league was also reaffirmed.[12] On September 25–27, 2019 the Pac Pro held their official event, a three-day workout called "Scrimmage" an invitation-only camp.[13]
On May 4, 2020, Sports Business Journal reported that Yee abandoned current business-to-consumer model for the league while drawing up a new business-to-business model for the renamed league.[14]
Players
editThe league would only hire non-NFL eligible players,[2] thus focused on high school graduates not going to college nor out of school for over three years.[15] Average pay would be $50,000 plus optional community college tuition and books for a year.[15] Benefits would also be a part of compensation, including career-ending injury coverage. A set of programs and internships, academic and vocational, would be made available through the league.[3] The players, as professionals, would be able to enter into sponsorship deals.[16] The league would train the players in pro-style play.[2] All players would get playing time, with players assigned to the team closest to their high school.[8]
Structure
editThe four teams of 50 players each would be based in southern California[2] four major counties Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange County and San Diego,[17] playing in mid-size municipal or college stadiums on Sundays.[3][8] The league may use only two venues.[8] The season would consist of eight games for each team,[9] plus a two-round playoff.[8] The league plans to have eight full-time coaches and eight part-time assistant coaches per team.[8] The league would also serve as a training ground for future NFL staff.[18]
The league's plans were to expand to 12 teams by 2025, first by four teams on the East Coast after year three, and later to four more teams on a different location.[19]
Pacific Pro Scrimmage
editOn September 25–27, 2019 the Pac Pro held their first official event, a three-day workout called "Scrimmage" an invitation-only camp, at Whittier College in Whittier, California. The scrimmage was targeted to scouts from the NFL, XFL and CFL.[13] Four NFL teams, Browns, 49ers, Rams and Chargers, were confirmed as attending.[20] They featured "approximately 20" players with no punters, kickers or long snappers.[13] Yee envisions it being a yearly event then growing into an ongoing regular season combine.
In the inaugural camp, players received coaching from former NFL quarterback Ty Detmer and longtime NFL and college coaches Dwaine Board (defensive line), Dave Magazu (offensive line), Geep Chryst (Wide Receivers), Steve Logan (Quarterbacks), Jimmy Williams (Defensive Backs) and Rick Minter (Linebackers).[20]
Notable Attendees:
- Chad Kanoff, QB, Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers[21][22] and later by the XFL.
- Devin Ross, WR, Signed by New England Patriots.
- Darion Clark, TE, Signed by Chicago Bears.[23][24]
- Jordan Harold, DL, Signed by Calgary Stampeders.
- Kenneth Olugbode, LB, Signed by BC Lions.
- Malcolm Washington, DB, Signed by Edmonton Eskimos.
- Logan Tulley-Tillman, OL, Drafted by DC Defenders in the 2020 XFL Draft.[25]
HUB Football
editAfter league plans were abandoned, Yee announced his initiative will be reformatted to a scouting event called HUB Football. It was later announced that he teamed with former ESPN and NFL Network executive Jamie Hemann.[26][27]
The scouting event will be divided to two separate events: The CAMP, a invitation-only non-contact football camp for street free agents, and the GAME, a game week practice with an exhibition game at the end (modeled after the Senior Bowl). Players will not be compensated, in attempt to attract college players and allow them to retain NCAA eligibility.[28]
Per HUB website, they "maintained direct relationships with professional football league offices and teams and will share player data, video and whatever is necessary to enhance the exposure of The CAMP players and provide an additional platform to secure their next professional football opportunity".[29]
On October 13, 2022, HUB Football signed an exclusive partnership agreement with the United States Football League.[30] In June 25, 2023 Yee announced that he pulled the plug on current HUB Football operations, while Senior Vice President of Football Operations, Tom Goodhines, will start his own scouting event called GRID Camps.[31]
By the end, HUB Football did not conduct games, while players participated in non-contact football camps only, as each player paid $750 to participate.[32]
Coaches
edit- Head coach: Geep Chryst
- Quarterbacks coach: Ty Detmer
- Quarterbacks coach: Seneca Wallace
- Wide Receivers Coach: Wendell Davis
- Wide Receivers Coach: Az-Zahir Hakim
- Running backs coach: Wayne Moses
- Offensive line coach: Eugene Chung (formerly Dave Magazu)
- Defensive line coach: Dwaine Board
- Linebackers/Defensive line coach: Marvin Jones
- Linebackers coach: Sam Anno
- Linebackers coach: Junior Bryant
- Defensive backs coach: Tim McTyer
- Defensive backs coach: Derrick Gardner
- Special teams coach: Nick Novak
Portal CAMP coaches
editSource[35]
- Head coach: Eugene Chung (also Offensive line)
- Quarterbacks coach: John DeFilippo
- Running backs coach: Kirby Wilson
- Wide Receivers Coach: DJ McCarthy
- Defensive line coach: Phillip Daniels
- Linebackers coach: Sam Anno
- Defensive backs coach: John Guy
Pro "CAMP" events
editAccording to their records since its inception in 2019, as 47 players out of 212 participants have signed with professional teams,[36] and since 2021 seven attendees signed with NFL teams.[37]
- September 2020 "CAMP" - Chad Kanoff,[38] Graham Adomitis, Devonte Williams and Xavier Smith.[39]
- November 2020 "CAMP" - 59 players[40] were invited to the 2nd. "CAMP" including: Brian Lewerke,[41] Shane Ray,[42] Deondre Francois and Connor Davis.[43]
- March 2021 "CAMP" - 57 players[44] were invited to at Maranatha Christian Schools in San Diego including: McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Josh Love, Ryan Willis, Chad Kanoff, Ade Aruna, Ahmad Gooden, Nigel Harris, Quentin Poling, Prince Charles Iworah, Brandon Aubrey and Tadhg Leader.
- April 2021 "CAMP" - More than 50 prospects participated at "THE CAMP" in La Mesa, California including:[45] Deondre Francois, Tyler Bray,[46] Quinton Flowers, Miles Shuler and Kai Higgins.
- July 2021 "CAMP" - 67 prospects participated at "THE CAMP" in Helix High School at La Mesa, California including:[47] Tyler Bray, Jordan Matthews and Rahim Moore.
- September 2021 "CAMP" - 71 players participated at "THE CAMP" in Dignity Health Sports Park at Carson, California including:[48] Case Cookus, Johnathan Cyprien and Brandon Marshall.
- October 2021 "CAMP" - 52 prospects[49] participated at "THE CAMP" in Carson, California including:[50] Anthony Gordon, Patrick Carr, Trevor Davis and David Irving.
- December 2021 "CAMP" - The event took place at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California with:[51] QB Zachary Smith, QB Richard Stammetti, OL Cordel Iwuagwu, DE Deshon Cooper and LS Ryan Navarro.
- March 2022 "CAMP" - The event, officially titled "‘CAMP’ 11" took place at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California with:[52] RB Derrius Guice, RB Pete Guerriero and S Alijah Holder.
- May 2022 "CAMP" - The event, officially titled "‘CAMP’ 12" took place at Helix Charter High School stadium in La Mesa, California with:[53] OL Luke Juriga and LB Ty Schwab.
- June 2022 "CAMP" - The event, officially titled "‘CAMP’ 13" took place in San Diego, California with:[54] RB Rakeem Boyd and S Javon Jackson.
- November 2022 "CAMP" - The event, first since announcing a new Scouting Data Partnership with the USFL,[55] took place in San Diego, California with:[56] QB Chris Barrett, TE Connor Davis, TE Stephen Carlson, TE Cameron Butler and S Glenn Harris.
- February 2023 "CAMP" - The 58-players "CAMP" took place in San Diego, California with:[57] QB Roland Rivers III, RB Marcel Dancy, WR Trevon Sidney,[58] TE Josh Ealy,[59] LB Patrick Isbell,[60] CB Anthony Blue and DB Traveon Beck.
- April 2023 "CAMP" - The 42-players "CAMP" took place in San Diego, California with:[61] QB Zach Smith, TE Darion Clark, OT Henry Hattis, DL Devin Drew and DB Ezekiel Brown.
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ "Founders". pacificprofootball.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Kaplan, Emily (January 19, 2017). "A Look at Don Yee's New NFL D-League". SI.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Grossman, Evan (May 27, 2017). "Tom Brady's agent Don Yee bucks against football system and NCAA with Pacific Pro league". NY Daily News.
- ^ "Advisory Board". pacificprofootball.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Yee's Pacific Pro Football college plan takes a turn". Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Why NFL's player development model could be transformed by one persistent longtime agent". 31 July 2020.
- ^ Yee, Don (August 19, 2010). "A pro agent's case for paying college football players". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c d e f Wetzel, Dan (January 11, 2017). "Could this pro football league help fix a nagging NFL draft problem?". Yahoo Sports. Oath. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Pacific Pro Football League to debut in 2018". ESPN.com. Jan 11, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Bell, Jarrett (February 28, 2018). "Agent Don Yee lands Adidas as sponsor for Pacific Pro Football". USA Today. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Michael (December 18, 2018). "Pac Pro Football Startup Hires Jamie Hemann As First CEO". Sports Business Daily. American City Business Journals. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ a b Wilson, Bernie (January 7, 2019). "Former Lehigh Valley, NFL star Ed McCaffrey to help head Pacific Pro Football". The Morning Call. AP. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Pacific Pro Football schedules camp for NFL free agents". AP News. September 16, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Michael (May 4, 2020). "Yee's college development plan takes a turn". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Earlywine, Aaron (February 9, 2017). "A closer look at football developmental leagues". SI.com. Time, Inc. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Ellen (January 12, 2017). "Pacific Pro Football League: A welcome alternative to the NFL?". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "Pacific Pro Football League looking to make roots in San Diego by 2020". Fox5 San Diego. January 10, 2019.
- ^ Maese, Rick (January 11, 2017). "New summer pro football league aims to offer paid alternative to college football". Washington Post. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "Pacific Pro Football League looking to make roots in San Diego by 2020". Fox5 San Diego. January 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "NFL teams excited about a potential new way to evaluate free agents during the season". CBS Sports. September 15, 2019.
- ^ @JasonLaCanfora (25 September 2019). "Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer w QBs Taryn Christion (Cowboys camp) and Chad Kanoff (Cards and Lions) at Pacific…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Bucs Swap Linebackers, Releasing Deone Bucannon and Signing Noah Dawkins".
- ^ Jahns, Adam (March 31, 2020). "Why former basketball player Darion Clark believes he can help the Bears". The Athletic. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ "Why former basketball player Darion Clark believes he can help the Bears". The Athletic. March 31, 2020.
- ^ Huett, Wes (October 15, 2019). "Peorian Logan Tuley-Tillman drafted into the XFL". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ "Big-time agent has plan for football players to find path". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Camps providing street free agents a chance to show their stuff". NFL.com.
- ^ "In this time of upheaval across football, Don Yee has a plan to provide stability". ABC News.
- ^ "HUB Football: Alt Football QB Pathway Program". 15 April 2023.
- ^ "USFL inks scouting data partnership with HUB Football". 14 October 2022.
- ^ "A message from HUB Founder, Don Yee". June 25, 2023.
- ^ "San Diego's NFL imprint grows under Tom Brady's agent". 24 May 2021.
- ^ "HUB Coaching Staff".
- ^ "Upcoming CAMP Coaching Staff Heavy on NFL Experience". 22 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Coaching Staff for Oct. 8".
- ^ @HUBFootball2020 (16 April 2021). "Of 189 total HUB participants, 47 players (24.8%) have signed w/ a professional team... 👀" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "After Placing 7 Free Agents on NFL Rosters, CAMP By HUB Football Starts Sunday". 17 May 2021.
- ^ "KANOFF, ADOMITIS AND WILLIAMS ARE FIRST REGISTRANTS FOR HUB FOOTBALL "THE CAMP"".
- ^ "NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS' JULIAN EDELMAN SPONSORS WR XAVIER SMITH REGISTRATION IN HUB FOOTBALL'S "THE CAMP"".
- ^ @RicSerritella (14 November 2020). "Sneak Peek: @HubFootball2020 Roster - Some great #NFL talent in attendance. Stay tuned for live updates on …" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @RicSerritella (13 November 2020). "Confirmed: QB Brian Lewerke (@brianlewerke14) has accepted his invite to participate in @HubFootball2020 Camp on No…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @RicSerritella (9 November 2020). "Confirmed: Shane Ray - Former 1st Round PickExcited to announce that Shane Ray has accepted his invite to the…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @RichCimini (13 November 2020). "#Jets are signing TE Connor Davis, per source. Former @StonyBrookFB standout spent time with them in training camp.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Final roster set for Sunday's HUB Football CAMP in San Diego".
- ^ "Don Yee's HUB Football Draws Buzz Around April 18th CAMP". 13 April 2021.
- ^ "HUB Football CAMP Loaded With NFL Hopefuls".
- ^ "HUB: The 'CAMP' – July 18th Final Roster". 15 July 2021.
- ^ "HUB Football Official CAMP VII Roster Announced".
- ^ "'The CAMP' NFL free agent workout set for Oct. 20 in Carson, CA".
- ^ "The CAMP Presented by HUB Football Official Roster 10.20.21".
- ^ "HUB Football: Official December CAMP Roster".
- ^ "HUB Football CAMP: Official March Roster".
- ^ "PR: HUB Football returns to Helix HS with Saturday CAMP". 5 May 2022.
- ^ "HUB: Official CAMP Roster 6.18.22".
- ^ "HUB Football To Host First Pro Free Agent CAMP In San Diego Since Partnership With USFLs". 9 November 2022.
- ^ "HUB: November CAMP Highlighted By NFL Veterans". 12 November 2022.
- ^ "HUB Football 2023 February CAMP Spotlight". 17 February 2023.
- ^ "NFL Free Agent HUB Profile: Trevon Sidney, Wide Receiver". 18 December 2022.
- ^ "NFL Free Agent HUB Profile: Josh Ealy, Tight End". 18 December 2022.
- ^ "NFL Free Agent HUB Profile: Patrick Isbell, Linebacker". January 2023.
- ^ "HUB Football: April CAMP Hot List". 27 April 2023.