Coe’s Troubles Stun Avengers

The Avengers attempted to move forward on Friday after learning the extent of defensive specialist Cornelius Coe’s legal troubles.

Coe was indicted Wednesday on multiple cocaine-related felony counts, stemming from a federal investigation in Michigan. The indictment was unsealed Thursday. Coe is in custody in Los Angeles awaiting transport to Michigan.

Coe, 28, could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of all charges, according to Phillip Green, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids.

Coaches and players were aware on Thursday that Coe was involved in a legal situation, but most did not learn its nature until Friday. The Avengers (2-0) play their home opener on Sunday against San Jose (1-0).

“I’ve known Cornelius for a long time ... and I’m stunned by it,” said Coach Ed Hodgkiss, who also coached Coe as an assistant with the Indiana Firebirds. “Cornelius has only been a model citizen for me at all times. I just feel in shock.”

Greg Hopkins, a receiver/linebacker in his ninth Arena Football League season, also was surprised.

“The C.C. I know has been a good guy -- he comes in here and he works hard every day,” said Hopkins, who played with Coe in Indiana. “I don’t know what goes on outside of here, but the C.C. I know doesn’t go down that road, and I’ve known him probably longer than anybody.”

Said defensive specialist Damen Wheeler: “We can’t really help him, so we have to concentrate on the game and pray for him.”

Hodgkiss said he did not expect Coe’s situation to distract his players.

“There are so many injuries in football, guys are used to a guy going down and moving on,” Hodgkiss said. “Now, his situation is different, but in essence, to [Avenger players] it’s no different because we have a game to play Sunday and that’s what we’re worried about.”

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Wheeler will not play on Sunday because of a hamstring injury, leaving the Avengers short two defensive specialists.

The team is counting on another big game from Kevin Ingram, a receiver and defensive back who caught two touchdown passes, rushed for another and knocked down a Las Vegas pass in the end zone on the final play of a 62-55 victory last Saturday.

Ingram, who scored two touchdowns and intercepted a pass in the season-opening victory over Arizona, said he was “on a mission” to win the league’s Ironman of the Year award, presented to the top two-way player.

“The first two games were cool, but I think there’s probably a lot of people looking to see if I’ll be able to do that the whole season,” Ingram said. “I feel like I’m just warming up.”

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Joe Douglass has made the most of limited opportunity playing behind Hopkins.

He turned his first Avenger reception into a 27-yard touchdown that provided the final margin against Las Vegas.

He also broke up a pass in the end zone on the next-to-last play.

“I’m kind of like an insurance policy because [Hopkins] is a guy with a motor that keeps going and going and going,” Douglass said. “That’s fine with me. When my number is called, I need to make plays.”