TAMPA - Former Bucs quarterback Steve DeBerg has joined the Storm as quarterbacks coach.
DeBerg, fired after an 0-5 start as coach of the Indiana Firebirds, is helping quarterbacks Shane Stafford, Pat O'Hara and Stoney Case hone their techniques in practice.
"He's going to help those kids, especially Shane," coach Tim Marcum said. "Shane has got a unique throwing motion, and Coach is working with him, helping him."
DeBerg said Indiana offered him the chance to stay as quarterbacks coach, but he preferred to work under Marcum, the winningest coach in Arena Football League history.
"I've learned a lot," DeBerg said. "It's been very valuable in me learning Arena football. I wish I would have been exposed to some of this before I did become a head coach."
While at Indiana, DeBerg persuaded Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson to sign with the Firebirds. McPherson has won four consecutive starts and was named rookie of the month for March.
"I really expected him by the end of the year to be as good as any quarterback in the league," DeBerg said.
DeBerg played 18 seasons in the NFL then was quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons. He said there is little difference preparing a quarterback to play in the NFL or the Arena league.
"Throwing's throwing," DeBerg said. "The reads are different from the outdoor game, so I've had to kind of learn to read defenses different. It's a lot simpler, that's for sure."
DeBerg said he has no desire to return to the NFL.
"I did that, and it's a life-consuming job, it's just football as your whole life," he said. "You don't really have much of a personal life at all. That is one thing that attracts me to Arena football. It is professional football and very quarterback-oriented, but it does give you a chance to get a little more balance in your life."
