The Erie Express are pleased to announce the return of Coach Jimmy Dean Melton to the Express sidelines for 2023. Coach rejoins the Express staff after spending the 2022 season as co owner and Head Coach of the Akron Canton Pitbulls.

Last Season the Pitbulls finished a perfect 12-0 and were crowned PFL Champions. For their efforts, Coach Melton and his squad received an invitation to face the Motor City Outlaws in the Sunshine Bowl 3A National Championship Bowl Game in Miami, Florida. The Pitbulls finished the 2022 campaign ranked #8 in the NFE National Coaches Poll.

Coach Jimmy played a vital part in our 2021 GDFL National Championship as well as our 2022 USA Bowl Summer Division National Championship Bowl game victory. 

Prior to joining the Express Coach Melton coached the Northeast Ohio Silverbacks who won the 2018 PAFL T2 Championship and were runners up in the USA Bowl Spring Division National Championship bowl game in Daytona, Florida. 

In 2017 Coach led the Ohio Broncos to their division championship and they were runners up in the 2017 OFL Championship game. 

Jimmy is a graduate of Central Hower, HS in Akron, OH. As a player, Jimmy played for the Ohio Golden Knights, Youngstown Tigers and Tri State Warriors before moving into an ownership role. 

In 2014 Melton took over ownership of the Akron Rage. In 2015 he and Charles created the Ohio Broncos where they won a division title and were league runner up. In 2018 he joined the Ohio Silverbacks where he served as the OC and helped to lead the Silverbacks to a 2019 PAFL T2 championship and a national bowl game appearance. 

"We are very happy to have Coach Melton back on board with us. He left last season to chase a dream and he 100% fulfilled the mission. We rooted he and his Pitbulls team on every step of the way and were  so happy to see him lead yet another group men to a championship. Jimmy knows the game, he knows how to help players reach their full potential and he is a proven winner. His grind for his football family as well as his family at home is evident in how he carries himself everyday. That rubs off on those around him and we are very fortunate to have him around our young men as well. We are blessed to have Coach back with us and look to continue winning championships in 2023"-Director of Operations Paul Pennington.

Jimmy resides in Akron, OH and is the proud father of five children. 

Welcome back on board the PAINTRAIN Coach! GO EXPRESS!