EXPRESS FIND THEIR NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Erie, PA:

The Erie Express are pleased to announce the addition of Brandon Hanna as our new offensive coordinator for the 2024 season. Brandon begins his first season on the coaching staff and takes over the play calling from Jimmy Melton who left to start his own team the Akron-Canton Pitbulls.

Although it is his first season as an Express coach, Hanna is no stranger to the Express sidelines. Hanna was our starting quarterback from 2018 to 2021 and holds Express records for career passing yards (6,254), passing touchdowns (84), Passing TD's in a game (9), Passing yards in a game (368) rushing touchdowns (32), pass attempts (760), pass completions (400) and total offense (6,879). Hanna was named GDFL All-Pro 3x, GDFL Player of the Year 2x along with countless team awards.

Brandon also served as one of our team captains and during our 2021 GDFL National Championship season as well as our 2022 USA Bowl National Championship, Hanna called the offense from the field. This allowed us to move at a incredible pace and what we are looking to get back to this year as well.

During his time as our starting quarterback Brandon led us to 3 division titles, 1 region title, 3 conference finals, 1 conference championship, the 2021 GDFL National Championship (42-40 Englewood Blackhawks, CA) and the 2022 USA Bowl Summer Division National Championship Bowl Game (25-24 Iredell County Warriors, NC) . His last game in an Express uniform was the 2023 USA Bowl Spring Division National Championship Game where we came up just short 17-20 (Minneapolis Warriors, MN)

Prior to joining the Express Hanna had been the starting QB for the Columbus Fire, Ohio Golden Knights and the Ohio Raiders. In 2015 Brandon led the Columbus Fire to the PAFL Stripes Division Championship Game and a National Championship Bowl Game victory in Florida (2016). In the National Championship game Brandon was named the games MVP. Hanna spent 10 full seasons playing professionally and was named All-Pro in all of them.

Brandon is currently the head football coach of the Jefferson Falcons (Jefferson, OH). Brandon was named the 2022 OHSAA Div 4 Coach of the Year for leading the Falcons to the state final four for the first time in school history. Hanna guided Jefferson to a 7-3 regular-season record and sixth seed in Division IV, Region 13.

The Falcons the proceeded to win four straight playoff games to reach the state semi-finals. Jefferson, finished the season 11-4 and lose to eventual state champion Cleveland Glenville to end their historic run.

Brandon is also an accomplished tennis and girls basketball coach, winning region titles and multiple conference and tournaments in both.

"We are very excited to have Brandon back on board with us. He is a proven winner on and off the field. He shares the talents that God has blessed him with to lift those around him and to help them reach their full potential. His style of play was very demanding but he never asked from his teammates what he himself was not willing to do. We will be back to our high speed style of play. Hard nosed, fast paced and very aggressive. We love everything Brandon brought as a player and are certain he will do an equally impressive job as a coach as well."-Director of Operations Paul Pennington.

Welcome back on board the PAINTRAIN Coach Hanna! GO EXPRESS!