***Predators Press Release***
ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Predators are pleased to announce that former Arena Football League star and Predators player Siaha Burley will be the teams’ offensive coordinator for the 2014 season.
Burley, who is a UCF graduate, was Daunte Culpeper’s favorite target while at UCF as he led the team in receiving for two straight years. When asked about being back in Orlando, Burley could not be more excited about being reunited with the Predators organization and his alma mater. “The city of Orlando has done so much for me, and I am honored to be able to coach here in front of the greatest fans of the sport,” said Burley. “We always felt that we had an upper edge while playing in The Jungle, and I am looking forward to helping bring that intense atmosphere back.”
Following graduation, Burley spent time in camp with a number of NFL teams including the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks during the 1999 season. Burley also played a year with the XFL’s Orlando Rage in 2000, which was then followed by a stretch in the Dallas Cowboys camp in 2001 before starting his Arena Football League career with the Orlando Predators that same year.
Following the 2001 season, Burley was named to the AFL All-Rookie team. Burley’s stint in Orlando was short-lived, however, after he was traded to the Los Angeles Avengers during the 2003 season. After playing for the Avengers for just one season, Burley played for the Arizona Rattlers for both the 2004 and 2005 campaigns. In 2005, the Arena Football League's Writers Association named Burley the Offensive Player of the Year. He set a franchise record with 45 touchdown receptions for the 2005 season and was named to the All-Arena Second Team.
In 2006, Burley ended the season ranked No. 1 in the league with an average of 120.9 receiving yards per game and No. 2 in the league for touchdown catches (44) and average receptions per game (8.5) for the Utah Blaze. He was named to the All-Arena Second Team for the second consecutive year for his efforts.
2007 was a record setting year for Burley, as he broke league records for receptions (166) and receiving yards (2,129). The wide receiver was named Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career as he finished second in the league with 49 touchdown receptions and averaged 12.8 yards per catch.
Burley would go onto play for the Arizona Rattlers during the 2008, 2010 and 2012 seasons before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Rush in 2013. The new offensive coordinator would bring the Rush offense to new heights after the team
won the National Conference Central Division and finished in the top-five of total offense for the season with first-year starting quarterback, Carson Coffeman. Burley also coached the J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Year, Reggie Gray, who caught 140 passes for 1,978 yards and 46 touchdowns.
ABOUT ORLANDO PREDATORS: The Orlando Predators are managed by Pearsall Holdings, L.P. under the supervision of majority owner David Pearsall. The team plays in the Arena Football League among fourteen total teams in the AFL. The Predators are going into their 23rd season and have appeared in the playoffs 19 times and have gone on to play in the ArenaBowl seven times, winning the championship in 1998 and 2000.