Charles Portman Returns for his Fifth Season

The Erie Express are happy to announce the return of Coach Charles Portman for the 2025 season. Charles begins his fifth season with the Express and will serve as our assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. 

Coach Portman has been our Head Football Coach for the past three seasons. Due to his workload outside of the Express, his time was limited so he handed the reigns over to Mike McKinnon moving forward. During his three seasons as our Head Coach, Charles guided us to 2 USA Bowl National Championship Bowl Games, two playoff appearances (GDFL, TPFL), 2 TPFL playoff wins, a GDFL Division Title, an appearance in the 2024 TPFL Championship game and an I-75 Bowl Game appearance. 

On top of handling the day to day grind of being the head coach, Charles also has called our defense for the past four seasons overseeing multiple All-Pro players and ranked defenses.

After a disappointing 2023 season where we finished 3-9 with our average loss being 2.7ppg. Charles led one of the greatest turnarounds we have seen in recent years. The Express finished the TPFL season 11-2 (Both losses to TPFL Champion Columbus Fire), received an invite to play in the I-75 Bowl as well as the USA Bowl National Championship in Daytona Beach, FL.

In 2023 we missed the playoffs yet still had one of the top defenses in the league. Losing 5 league games by a touchdown or less is difficult to handle but our defense kept us in the games and that is a direct reflection of Coach Portman's coaching ability.

In Coach Portman's previous 4 seasons the Express racked up a 31-11 record including 3 division titles, 3 playoff appearances, 6 playoff wins, a regional title, 2021 GDFL Xtreme Conference Champions, 2021 GDFL National Champions, 2022 USA Bowl Summer Division National Champions, 2023 USA Bowl National Championship Runners Up, 2024 TPFL Runners Up, 2024 I-75 Bowl game, 2025 USA Bowl National Championship Runners Up.

Last season Charles did an amazing job with the ever changing roster. Whether it was injuries or no shows coach Portman kept a positive attitude every practice and game and led by example. He has a great sense for putting players in the best possible position to benefit them and the team. Coach Portman's ability to put players in the best position for success has played a huge roll in the above mentioned team accolades.

Charles is a graduate of Mount Vernon, HS in Alexandria, Virginia where he was a three year letter winner in football. Charles played his college ball at Delaware State before moving to Akron, OH. Charles has served as the defensive coordinator for Springfield, HS (OH). In 2019 Charles joined the Ohio Silverbacks as the Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Charles helped guide the Silverbacks to a PAFL T2 Championship and a national bowl game appearance. Prior to joining the Silverbacks Portman served as the Defensive Coordinator of the Ohio Broncos where he helped lead them to a division title and OFL Championship Game appearance.

"Charles has done an amazing job for us every season he has been in Erie. Year in and year out we have one of the top defenses in the league if not the nation. Charles expects a lot from the players so they must get in the film and study. He has a knack for finding someone to fill a void each and every week and at this level, the roster from week to week is never the same. He is a proven winner with multiple championships and expects the same level of commitment and energy from his players and assistant coaches. When we were at our lowest he kept us together and the turnaround last season was a direct result of his leadership and ability to put together a championship caliber roster. He was my nominee for 2024 TPFL Coach of the Year taking us from 3-9 in 2023 to 11-2 las season and an appearance in the TPFL Championship Game. We are certain that Coach Portman will have us back in the national hunt in 2025 and are blessed to have him back on board in 2025. "-Director of Operations Paul Pennington.

Coach Portman is the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Akron Buchtel High School. In his first season there, the Griffs were City Series Champions and qualified for the OHSAA Playoffs! GO GRIFFS!

Charles resides in Akron, OH with his wife and three children.

We are happy to have you back on board with us Coach Portman! GO EXPRESS!