Lonnie Young named Maulers general manager

As they prepare for their second season in the USFL, the Pittsburgh Maulers will be under new leadership.

Lonnie Young was named the Pittsburgh Maulers’ new general manager Tuesday.

After being drafted by the old USFL New Jersey Generals in 1985, Young joined the NFL and played 12 seasons as a defensive back. Young was first hired as a scout in 2001 by the New York Jets before moving to the Arizona Cardinals scouting team for the next seven years. From 2008-19, Young was a national scout for the Baltimore Ravens, earning a Super Bowl XLVII ring in 2013.

“Lonnie Young is a proven winner in the NFL and he’s already making an impact as our new general manager,” Maulers coach Kirby Wilson said. “Winning a championship starts with player scouting and evaluation, and together, I look forward to working with Lonnie to deliver a USFL title to Pittsburgh Maulers fans.”

Young replaces Chris Watts, who is now a college scout with the Steelers. The Maulers went 1-9 last season.

The USFL also announced Dave Razzano was named the GM of the Tampa Bay Bandits.

Young and Razzano collaborated on the same Arizona Cardinals staff in 2008 when they lost to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

Razzano and Young join six other general managers who helped build teams for the USFL’s first season: Matt Boockmeier (New Orleans Breakers), Billy Devaney (New Jersey Generals), Steve Kazor (Michigan Panthers), Bob Morris (Houston Gamblers), Zach Potter (Birmingham Stallions) and Michael Woods (Philadelphia Stars).