Derek Stingley
Head Coach,
South Georgia Wildcats

The 2007 season will be Stingley's first season as Head Coach of the South Georgia Wildcats. Prior to joining the Wildcats, Stingley coached the Macon Knights, also of the af2, for two seasons. He began his career with the Knights in 2005 as the defensive coordinator, but was promoted to head coach halfway through the season. Stingley was able to turn around a 2-4 record, finishing the 2005 season at 8-8 and making the playoffs. In the 2006 season, the Knights again finished 8-8, missing the playoffs by one game.

During his 8 seasons playing in the AFL, Stingley was a member of the 1999 Albany Firebird ArenaBowl Championship team, earning All-AFL honors in the same season. Stingley currently ranks ninth All-Time in the league in tackles (443.5) and fifth in pass break-ups (110).

In addition to his professional football career, Stingley also played baseball at Purdue University. He was drafted in 1993 as a center fielder by the Philadelphia Phillies Organization and remained with the team for 2 years.

Stingley is originally from Chicago, Illinois, but currently lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with his wife Natasha and children Isis, Nahja, Derek Jr., and Sanaa.