# Lawrence Samuels > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lawrence_Samuels > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lawrence_Samuels.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Samuels > Source revision: 1344030163 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1970)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Lawrence Samuels | image = LawrenceSamuels.PNG | alt = | caption = Samuels with [Adrian McPherson](/source/Adrian_McPherson) during a 2013 game. | number = | position = [Head coach](/source/Head_coach) | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1970|5|1}} | birth_place = [Mobile, Alabama](/source/Mobile%2C_Alabama), U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | high_school = Mobile (AL) Shaw | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lbs = 215 | college = [Livingston (AL)](/source/West_Alabama_Tigers_football) | undraftedyear = | pastteams = * [Tampa Bay Storm](/source/Tampa_Bay_Storm) ({{AFL Year|1994}}–{{AFL Year|2000}}) * [New Jersey Gladiators](/source/New_Jersey_Gladiators) ({{AFL Year|2001}}) * Tampa Bay Storm ({{AFL Year|2002}}–{{AFL Year|2010}}) | pastcoaching = * [West Alabama](/source/West_Alabama_Tigers_football) (WR) (1993–1994) * [West Alabama](/source/West_Alabama_Tigers_football) (WR) (1998–2000) * [Central H.S.](/source/Central_High_School_(Brooksville%2C_Florida)) (WR/OL) (2002–2003) * [Sickles H.S.](/source/Sickles_High_School) (WR/DB) (2004–2005) * [Wharton H.S.](/source/Paul_R._Wharton_High_School) (WR) (2005–2006) * [Team USA](/source/United_States_national_American_football_team) (WR) (2009) * [East Lake H.S.](/source/East_Lake_High_School) (WR/DB) (2009–2010) * [Central State](/source/Central_State_University) (WR) (2011) * [Tampa Bay Storm](/source/Tampa_Bay_Storm) (WR) ({{AFL Year|2012}}) * Tampa Bay Storm ([OC](/source/Offensive_coordinator)) ({{AFL Year|2013}}) * Tampa Bay Storm ([HC](/source/Head_coach)) ({{AFL Year|2014}}–{{AFL Year|2016}}) * [Tuskegee Golden Tigers](/source/Tuskegee_Golden_Tigers) (TE) (2017–present) | highlights = * 3× [ArenaBowl](/source/ArenaBowl) champion ([1995](/source/ArenaBowl_IX), [1996](/source/ArenaBowl_X), [2003](/source/ArenaBowl_XVII)) * ArenaBowl MVP ([2003](/source/ArenaBowl_XVII)) * 5× Second-team [All-Arena](/source/All-Arena) ([2003](/source/2003_All-Arena_Team), [2004](/source/2004_All-Arena_Team), [2005](/source/2005_All-Arena_Team), [2006](/source/2006_All-Arena_Team), [2007](/source/2007_All-Arena_Team)) * 4× AFL All-Iron Man Team ({{AFL Year|2000}}, {{AFL Year|2003}}, {{AFL Year|2007}}, {{AFL Year|2008}}) * [Arena Football Hall of Fame](/source/Arena_Football_Hall_of_Fame) (2013) | aflstatlabel1 = [Receptions](/source/Reception_(American_football)) | aflstatvalue1 = 1,035 | aflstatlabel2 = [Receiving yards](/source/Receiving_yards) | aflstatvalue2 = 11,820 | aflstatlabel3 = [Receiving touchdowns](/source/Touchdown) | aflstatvalue3 = 169 | aflstatlabel4 = [Total tackles](/source/Tackle_(football_move)) | aflstatvalue4 = 360 | aflstatlabel5 = [Interceptions](/source/Interceptions) | aflstatvalue5 = 32 | afl = 1405 | coachregrecord = 17–35 ({{winpct|17|35}}) | coachplayoffrecord = 0–0 ({{winpct|0|1}}) | coachrecord = 17–36 ({{winpct|17|36}}) }} '''Lawrence''' "'''Law Dogg'''" '''Samuels''' (born May 1, 1970) is an American [football](/source/American_football) coach and former player. He played [college football](/source/college_football) at [Livingston University](/source/University_of_West_Alabama), and was an [Arena Football League](/source/Arena_Football_League) (AFL) [wide receiver](/source/wide_receiver)/[linebacker](/source/linebacker) from 1994 to 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=1405 |title=Lawrence Samuels |access-date=2010-02-25 |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com}} He was [head coach](/source/head_coach) of the [Tampa Bay Storm](/source/Tampa_Bay_Storm) of the AFL from 2014 to 2016. ==Early life== Born in [Mobile](/source/Mobile%2C_Alabama), [Alabama](/source/Alabama), Samuels attended Shaw High School in Mobile. Samuels was a basketball player in high school, but was lured to the football field after seeing most of his childhood friends join the Shaw team.{{Cite web |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/10/from_shaw_high_to_the_hall_of.html |title=From Shaw High to the Hall of Fame: Lawrence Samuels among Arena League's legends |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=October 21, 2013 |website=www.al.com |publisher=Alabama Media Group |access-date=October 28, 2013}} Samuels received both his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology and Master of Science degree in education from The University of West Alabama. ==Professional career== ===Tampa Bay Storm=== Samuels made his AFL debut in 1994 with the [Tampa Bay Storm](/source/Tampa_Bay_Storm), racking up 247 receptions through the [2000 season](/source/2000_Arena_Football_League_season) for over 3,120 yards in his first tenure with the Storm. ===New Jersey Gladiators=== In 2001, Samuels left the Storm and played the [season](/source/2001_Arena_Football_League_season) with the [New Jersey Gladiators](/source/Cleveland_Gladiators), catching 65 passes (a career high at the time) for 742 yards, just short of his 844-yard career high receiving season he recorded the year before with Tampa Bay. ===Return to the Storm=== After a single season in New Jersey, Samuels returned to Tampa,{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/storm-sign-samuels/n-1963613 |title=Storm sign Samuels |date=March 19, 2002 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=July 22, 2017}} where he finished his playing career. From 2003-2007, Samuels notched 1,000+ yards receiving in 4 of 5 seasons, including back-to-back-to-back 1,100 yard+ seasons in [2005](/source/2005_Arena_Football_League_season), [2006](/source/2006_Arena_Football_League_season), and [2007](/source/2007_Arena_Football_League_season). Was named MVP and Ironman of [ArenaBowl XVII](/source/ArenaBowl_XVII). In 2007, after 5 losses to begin the season, Samuels was again named to the AFL's All-Ironman Team after leading the Storm to a #3 seed in the playoffs. 100+ catches, 1,000+ yards, and 100+ touchdowns also helped Samuels earn the honor. On June 15, 2008, Samuels became the first receiver in AFL history to record 1,000 career receptions. [http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1480626&DB_OEM_ID=3500]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On August 10, 2013, Samuels was inducted into the [AFL Hall of Fame](/source/Arena_Football_Hall_of_Fame).{{Cite web |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/08/lawrence_samuels_going_into_ar.html |title=Lawrence Samuels going into Arena Football League Hall of Fame |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=August 11, 2013 |website=www.al.com |publisher=Alabama Media Group |access-date=August 12, 2013}} ==Coaching career== In 2002 and 2003, Samuels was an assistant coach and wide receivers coach at Central High School in [Brooksville, Florida](/source/Brooksville%2C_Florida). Samuels was the [offensive coordinator](/source/offensive_coordinator) and receivers [coach](/source/Coach_(sport)) for the [Wharton High School](/source/Paul_R._Wharton_High_School) Wildcats during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. In 2011, Samuels was named the [offensive coordinator](/source/offensive_coordinator) of the Storm, working with one of his former coaches, [Dave Ewart](/source/Dave_Ewart).{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/storm/storm-taps-lawrence-samuels-as-new-coach/2140136/ |title=Storm taps Samuels as coach |author=Brandon Wright |date=September 5, 2013 |publisher=Tampa Bay Times |work=www.tampabay.com |access-date=January 9, 2014}} Ewart was fired in early August 2013, and on September 5, 2013, Samuels was promoted to head coach of the Storm.{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabaystorm.com/news/detail/storm-name-lawrence-samuels-head-coach |title=Storm Name Lawrence samuels Head Coach |date=September 5, 2013 |publisher=Tampa Bay Storm |work=www.tampabaystorm.com |access-date=September 5, 2013}} Samuels and the Storm mutually agreed to part ways in August 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=13367 |title=Storm And Lawrence Samuels Mutually Agree To Separate |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |publisher=arenafan.com}} In 2017, Samuels was hired as the tight ends coach at [Tuskegee University](/source/Tuskegee_University).{{cite web | url=https://goldentigersports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/lawrence-samuels/523 | title=Lawrence Samuels | publisher=[Tuskegee University](/source/Tuskegee_University) | accessdate=1 June 2025}} ===Head coaching record === {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="4"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason |- !Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result |- ! [TB](/source/2014_Tampa_Bay_Storm_season) || {{AFL Year|2014}} || 8 || 10 || {{winpct|8|10}} || '''2nd in AC South''' || – || – || – || – |- ! [TB](/source/2015_Tampa_Bay_Storm_season) || {{AFL Year|2015}} || 7 || 11 || {{winpct|7|11}} || '''3rd in AC South''' || – || – || – || – |- ! style="background:#fdd;" ! [TB](/source/2016_Tampa_Bay_Storm_season) || {{AFL Year|2016}} || 2 || 14 || {{winpct|2|14}} || '''4th in AC''' || 0 || 1 || .000 || {{small|'''Lost to [Philadelphia Soul](/source/Philadelphia_Soul) in Conference Semifinals'''}} |- ! colspan="2"|Total{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=102 |title=Lawrence Samuels Coaching Record |publisher=ArenaFan.com |access-date=July 7, 2014}} || 17 || 35 || {{winpct|17|35}} || || 0 || 1 || .000 || |} ==Personal== Samuels's brother, [Chris Samuels](/source/Chris_Samuels), was a six-time Pro-Bowler in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). He and his wife, Kelli, have two daughters. ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=1405 AFL stats] {{navboxes |title= |list1= {{Tampa Bay Storm}} {{ArenaBowl IX}} {{ArenaBowl X}} {{ArenaBowl XVII}} {{ArenaBowl MVPs}} {{Arena Football Hall of Fame members}} }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Samuels, Lawrence}} Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:American football linebackers Category:American football wide receivers Category:New Jersey Gladiators players Category:Tampa Bay Storm coaches Category:Tampa Bay Storm players Category:West Alabama Tigers football players Category:High school football coaches in Florida Category:Players of American football from Mobile, Alabama Category:African-American coaches of American football Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen Category:Coaches of American football from Alabama Category:West Alabama Tigers football coaches Category:Central State Marauders football coaches Category:Tuskegee Golden Tigers football coaches Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:20th-century American sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lawrence Samuels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Samuels) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Samuels?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.