Los Angeles Cobras
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Los Angeles Cobras | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| General information | |||
| Founded | 1988 | ||
| Folded | 1988 | ||
| Headquartered | Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California | ||
| Colors | Navy, goldenrod, white | ||
| Personnel | |||
| Head coach | Ray Willsey | ||
| Team history | |||
| |||
| Home fields | |||
| League / conference affiliations | |||
| Arena Football League (1988) | |||
| Playoff appearances (1) | |||
The Los Angeles Cobras were a professional arena football team based in Los Angeles, California that played one season (1988) in the Arena Football League.
On March 16, 1988, it was announced that team would be nicknamed the Cobras, as well as the introduction of head coach Ray Willsey.[1] The Cobras played their home games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, which they shared with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. The team's logo consisted of an interlocking "LA" in which the left upright of the "A" was formed by the hooded head and "neck" of a cobra.
The team debuted April 30, 1988 against the New York Knights.[2] The Cobras started the season 0–3,[3] but finished the season 5–3–1, clinching a playoff spot.[4]
Despite a lineup that featured former NFL all-pro receiver Cliff Branch, ex-UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens[5] and future Arena Football Hall of Famer Gary Mullen, Los Angeles drew dismal crowds: just 7,507 per game, second-worst in the AFL.[4] The Cobras lost in the semifinals to the Chicago Bruisers, 29–16.[6] It turned out to be their last game ever as the Cobras folded after the 1988 season, temporarily cutting the league down.
Season-by-season
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 4th | Lost Week 1 (Chicago 29-16) |
| Totals | 5 | 7 | 1 | (including playoffs) | |
Notable players
Roster
| 1988 Los Angeles Cobras roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Wide receivers/Defensive backs
|
Running backs/Linebackers
Offensive linemen/Defensive linemen
|
Wide receivers/Linebackers
Kickers Rookies in italics | ||||
Arena Football League Hall of Famers
| Los Angeles Cobras Hall of Famers | ||||
| No. | Name | Year inducted | Position(s) | Years w/ Cobras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Mullen | 1995 | WR/DB | 1988 |
All-Arena players
The following Cobras players were named to All-Arena Teams:
- QB Matt Stevens
- WR/DB Gary Mullen
Notable coaches
Head coaches
| Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | Win% | W | L | |||
| Ray Willsey | 1988 | 5 | 6 | 1 | .458 | 0 | 1 | |
Staff
- Head coach: Ray Willsey
- Assistant coach: Lew Erber
- Running back & special teams coach: Russ Steele
- Football operations coordinator: Larry Westbrook
- Trainer: Nick Ortenzo
- Equipment manager: Marty Hopkins