Mike Hohensee Michael Louis Hohensee ( born February 22 , 1961 in Inglewood , California ) is an American Arena Football League coach who is currently the head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers . He is regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of the AFL . He was hired to guide the Soul ' s resumption of play after a two - year hiatus starting in 2011 . He resigned on July 27 , 2011 . He was formerly the Head Coach of the Chicago Rush , a position he had held since the team ' s inception . The Rush had made the AFL playoffs every year of their existence and won ArenaBowl XX in 2006 . Hohensee also coached the now defunct original Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League to three first - place finishes , and the Peoria Pirates in the af2 during the AFL ' s hiatus in 2009 . Playing career . College . In college , Hohensee played for the Minnesota . After coming out of junior college at Mt . San Antonio College in Walnut , California , Hohensee quarterback ed the Gophers for two seasons in 1981 and 1982 , setting numerous school passing records . After college . He played for the Washington Federals of the United States Football League from 1983 – 1984 , the Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1985 , and was a replacement player on the Chicago Bears of the National Football League during the 1987 NFL strike . Additionally , before beginning his career as an AFL coach , Hohenesee was a quarterback for the AFL ' s Pittsburgh Gladiators during the League ' s first two seasons in 1987 and 1988 . As the Washington Federals ' quarterback in 1983 , Hohensee is best remembered for coming up one foot short of the goal line in a loss to the Oakland Invaders . Additionally , Hohensee threw the first touchdown pass in AFL history . Coaching career . Chicago Rush , AFL 2001 - 2008 . Hohensee was named the first coach in Chicago Rush history , with the team beginning play in 2001 . With Hohensee , the Rush made the playoffs in every season and winning ArenaBowl XX . The Rush played in four consecutive AFL Conference Championship games from 2004 to 2008 , and won its division in 2002 , 2004 , 2007 , and 2008 . " Coach Ho " recorded his 100th career victory in 2006 when the team defeated the Las Vegas Gladiators at Allstate Arena . Peoria Pirates , af2 2009 . When the AFL stopped play in 2009 , Hohensee remained in Arena Football in Illinois . He coached the Peoria Pirates , but the team finished 5 - 11 . Chicago Rush , AFL 2010 . Hohensee returned to coach the Rush when the AFL returned for the 2010 season . He led the Rush to a 10 - 6 season , and the team made the playoffs . On August 20 , 2010 , Hohensee announced he was resigning from the Rush after nine season with the team . He finished with 108 regular season wins for the Rush and nine more in the playoffs . Philadelphia Soul , AFL 2011 . Hohensee was hired at the coach of the Philadelphia Soul on August 31 , 2010 . He will be the team ' s first head coach since the team went on hiatus together with the league as a whole following the 2008 season . The team ' s last game prior to Hohensee ' s hire was ArenaBowl XXII in which they defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59 - 56 . After a 6 – 12 season , Hohensee resigned on July 27 , 2011 . Iowa Barnstormers , AFL 2012 . On August 16 , 2011 , Hohensee was named the head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers . Car Accident . On Saturday April 28 , 2007 Hohensee was hit by a car while walking in a grocery store parking lot , but still coached the Rush to a victory over the Philadelphia Soul two days later . He coached the game in the team press box with a sling around his arm .