Team History
The Michigan Panthers were named as a charter member of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 11, 1982. A. Alfred Taubman, one of the nation’s leading real estate developers, headed the ownership group that included Judge Peter B. Spivak and Max M. Fisher.
The Panthers named Jim Spavital, general manager of the Canadian Football League‘s Saskatchewan Roughriders, as their General Manager on August 26, 1982. Michigan then hired Jim Stanley as their Head Coach on November 18, 1982, after George Perles decided to coach at Michigan State. Stanley brought a wealth of coaching experience, with stops at SMU, UTEP, Oklahoma State, Navy, and on the professional level with the CFL‘s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and NFL’s New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, mainly as an assistant coach. Stanley would be the club’s only head coach. The coaching staff was rounded out by Larry Coyer, Pete Rodriguez, and Dick Roach (Defensive coaches). George Dickson, Bob Leahy, and Kent Stephenson were the offensive coaches.
Coaching Staff and Front Office
Ownder: A. Alfred Tubman and Associates
| Head Coach: Jim Stanley |
| Larry Coyer | Linebackers |
| George Dickson | Offensive Backs |
| Bob Leahy | Quarterbacks/Receivers |
| Mike Long | Offensive Line/Kickers |
| Bob Morgan | Assistant to the Head Coach |
| Dick Roach | Defensive Backs |
| Pete Rodriguez | Defensive Line |
| Kent Stephenson | Offensive Line |