JACKSONVILLE, FL- The Jacksonville Sharks are proud to announce the coaching staff for their 15th season. The Sharks are ready to work on the field with a mix of experienced leadership and fresh talent as they enter their second season in the Indoor Football League.
Coach Gibson enters his third season with the Sharks and 23rd overall in professional football. He has led his teams to the playoffs in 21 of his 22 seasons, with eight championship appearances and four titles.
The Sharks finished the 2024 season winning three of the last four games while averaging 46.8 points per game. "We are looking to build on the success of the last part of the season in 2025," Coach Gibson said.
Under his leadership, the Sharks have led the league in scoring offense and defense, and his players have swept league honors, including MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Harrell returns for his fourth season with the Sharks. He has been crucial in helping Jacksonville's linemen secure multiple All-NAL honors. His offensive line facilitated the second-most rushing touchdowns in 2022, while his defensive line led the league in sacks. In the last five games of the 2024 season, Coach Harrell led the defense to 39.4 points per game, which would put the Sharks' defense third in the IFL.
A former AFL player and coach, Harrell's experience includes working with the Columbus Destroyers, Cleveland Gladiators, Orlando Predators, and Portland Thunder, as well as an Arena Bowl championship with the Spokane Shock.
Marvin Ross transitioned from player to coach in 2025, bringing his extensive experience as a four-time arena champion, including two titles with the Sharks (2017, 2023). Ross was named 2016 Arena Football League (AFL) Rookie of the Year and 2021 National Arena League (NAL) Defensive Player of the Year. This marks his debut season in coaching arena football.
"This will be my first year coaching arena football. I'm looking forward to having an aggressive and opportunistic defense and bringing back the championship atmosphere to the Shark Tank. " Ross said.
Coach Gibson is excited to bring Ross onto the coaching staff. "Marvin understands what it means to be a Shark and win championships." "We have a long history together and his ability to lead on and off the field represents this team."
Waranka joins the Sharks with years of experience as a high school football coach. He has held roles such as Defensive Coordinator at Ocala Christian Academy and Special Teams Coach at Trinity Catholic High School. Most recently, he served as Defensive Line Coach and Quality Control at Pedro Menendez High School. Waranka is eager to advance his coaching career with the Sharks.
Tai Miller: Quality Control Coach
Miller comes to Jacksonville from Knoxville, Tennessee, with a passion for football and a drive to grow as a coach. Having coached both offense and defense at the high school level, Miller is excited to work with the Sharks' organization in the upcoming season.
Tre Gardner: Quality Control Coach
David "Tre" Gardner III, a Jacksonville native, brings both a local and collegiate football experience to the Sharks. A graduate of the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Gardner played varsity football and continued his studies at Florida Atlantic University, pursuing a master's degree. With five years of high school coaching experience, Gardner is committed to mentoring athletes and contributing to the Sharks' success.
The Jacksonville Sharks are thrilled to kickoff the 2025 season with this outstanding coaching staff. The Sharks are set to improve on the field and deliver an exciting season for their fans.
About the Jacksonville Sharks presented by True Vet Solutions
The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The 4X Champions play all their home games on True Vet Field at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Season tickets for the 2025 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700 or visit
https://www.jaxsharks.com/shark-nation-memberships. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at
facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at
facebook.com/chumsharks.
