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TWIN CITIES, Minn. — The Minnesota Monsters have completed their coaching staff for the 2027 Arena Football 1 season, with Willie Howard serving as head coach and general manager as the franchise prepares for its first season in the Twin Cities.
Monsters owner and CEO Jacob Lambert announced the staff, which includes Daron Clark as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Mike Harris as offensive line and running backs coach, Michael Johnson as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach, and Varmah Sonie as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Howard will oversee the football operation after being placed in charge of a franchise entering a significant transition following its relocation from Duluth to the Twin Cities.
“This organization has always played with Pride and Purpose, and that identity isn't going anywhere,” Lambert said. “But 2027 is going to be about Urgency and Accountability. Every man on this staff understands that standard, and every man on this staff is here to hold our players to it. Willie, Daron, Mike, Michael, and Varmah have built the kind of coaching group that demands more from this team every single day, and that's exactly what this next chapter requires.”
Clark will direct the offense while also serving as Howard’s assistant head coach. Harris will work with the offensive line and running backs, Johnson will oversee special teams and the defensive line after returning to the organization, and Sonie will run the defense while coaching the secondary.
The configuration gives Howard defined leadership on both sides of the ball and on special teams as the Monsters continue assembling the football operation for 2027.
“Pride and Purpose is who we are. Urgency and Accountability is how we win in 2027,” Lambert said. “This staff knows the difference between talking about a standard and living it, and that's what our players are going to see from them every single day.”
The coaching announcement is another step in an offseason of significant change for the Monsters. The organization recently announced it will leave Duluth and play in the Twin Cities in 2027, putting Howard and his staff in charge of establishing the team’s football identity in its new market.
The Monsters are continuing to build their roster and football operations structure ahead of the 2027 AF1 season.
