Express add championship caliber depth to coaching staff

The Erie Express are pleased to announce the addition of a pair of accomplished coaches to the 2021 staff. Jimmy Melton and Charles Portman join the Express staff this season and will work primarily on the defensive side of the ball. 

The Duo most recently coached for the Ohio Silverbacks. While there they won the 2018 PAFL T2 Championship and were runners up in a national bowl game in Daytona, Florida. In 2017 the pair were also together with the Ohio Broncos where they won their division and were runners up in the 2017 OFL Championship. 

Jimmy is a graduate of Central Hower, HS in Akron, OH. As a player, Jimmy played for the Ohio Golden Knights, Youngstown Tigers and Tri State Warriors before moving into an ownership role. In 2014 Melton took over ownership of the Akron Rage. In 2015 he and Charles created the Ohio Broncos where they won a division title and were league runner up. In 2018 he joined the Ohio Silverbacks where he served as the OC and helped to lead the Silverbacks to a 2019 PAFL T2 championship and a national bowl game appearance. Jimmy resides in Akron, OH and is the proud father of five children. 

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

"We are very excited to add two championship winning coaches to our staff. The group of coaches we currently have all work well together, are all on the same page and are unselfish in their pursuit of success for our players and organization. We feel that Jimmy and Charles bring that same mentality and drive for success with them. Winning a championship is the ultimate goal but what is more important is the path you take to win it. We do our best to do things at the highest level and to the best of our individual abilities. We feel that by adding Jimmy and Charles to our staff it will help us all achieve the goals we have set and maintain the reputation we have built in Erie. We are pleased to have them both on board and are certain they will have a major impact in our 2021 success"-Director of Operations Paul Pennington.

Welcome aboard the PAINTRAIN Gentlemen. We are happy to have you on board. GO EXPRESS!