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New-look Cedar Rapids Titans set to debut Sunday after official tailgate party
River Kings moniker retired in favor of restoring name of city’s indoor football franchise from 2012-18
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CEDAR RAPIDS – Rick Kranz was intrigued by Cedar Rapids’ brief indoor football history.
Before accepting the job as head coach and general manager of the city’s American Indoor Football franchise a year ago, Kranz did a deep dive on what went well and what fell flat with prior iterations of indoor football in the “City of Five Seasons.”
His research left him impressed and hopeful.
“The arena is great, the city is fantastic, the weather is great,” said Kranz, who will lead Cedar Rapids into its AIF season-opening game against the Midwest Raptors Sunday at 5 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. “The thing about it is, the tradition that used to be here and my vision fit perfect. And I’ve learned with all the diversity that we’ve had because of previous years, just do what you say you’re going to do. Don’t try to overdo it. Football is supposed to be easy and it’s more about the show than the football team. If you have a great product on and off the field, people will come.”
Kranz brings nearly two decades of experience from leagues such as the Ultimate Indoor Football League, Continental Indoor Football League and the AIF. He is a two-time Coach of the Year and two-time Marketing Director of the Year. One of his first moves in Cedar Rapids was reviving the original “Titans” moniker that the franchise used during a run from 2012-18 in which it qualified for the Indoor Football League playoffs four times.
The franchise was rebranded to “River Kings” in 2019.
“The history is what I saw,” Kranz said. “People loved the Titans. They had the fans, the “Fan Zone” and everything else. Cedar Rapids Titans. What is a ‘River King?’ ‘Titans’ sounds so much better and the logo is way better, too.”
Local business owner and entrepreneur Mike Thorson has transitioned from a silent partner to majority owner of the franchise. Kranz has brought a coaching staff that has been with him for three years – offensive coordinator Maurice Douse, defensive coordinator DeMarcus James and line coach Joseph Fournier.
As for the players, one recognizable name on the roster is former Benton Community and Coe College quarterback Clay Krousie, who is competing for a spot. His first day in training camp was Wednesday.
“I had dinner with Coach Rick at (Buffalo Wild Wings) a few months back, watched some ‘Thursday Night Football,’” Krousie said. “Went to a tryout down in Burlington. Things went well, worked out for an opportunity. Grateful for him.”
The defense will be led by defensive back Artevius Smith, who helped the Omaha Beef win the 2021 Champions Indoor Football title (under 2016 Cedar Rapids Coach Marvin Jones) before playing outdoor ball in Poland during the 2023-24 season.
“Very excited,” Smith said. “We want to make sure that coming back with the ‘Titans’ name, we want to bring that excitement back to the community and also to our sponsors. Just finish what we came here to do and that is win a championship.”
Before the game, the team will host an official tailgate party at Kingston Yard from 1:30-4:30 featuring food, DJs, players/coaches, cheerleaders, bands, games and prizes, including game tickets. Admission is free. Fans are encouraged to bring a new pillow to donate to Central Furniture Rescue.
“We need people to come out,” Kranz said. “Sunday is ‘Military Appreciation Night’ and ‘Breast Cancer Awareness.’ We’re wearing pink uniforms. All pink. That is why they are not in the pictures because no one has seen them yet. They can go to the box office. It is buy one, get one free for any first responders or military (members). Anyone.”
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