Former Drake assistant takes reigns of C.R. Titans ‘D’

CEDAR RAPIDS – In the topsy-turvy world of football coaching, it's often about who you know. For former Drake assistant coach Kahlil Carter, the 'who” is Cedar Rapids Titans coach Mark Stoute.

'Him and Coach (Cedar Rapids special teams coach Michael) Custer have been like uncles or like dads almost to me throughout my career, both as a player and a coach,” Carter said after being named defensive coordinator of the fourth-year indoor football franchise. 'They're like family to me. I was excited to get the offer.”

Carter, 38, played for Stoute and Custer in 2002 with the Toronto Phantoms of the Arena Football League, part of career that spanned 13 seasons in 10 years, primarily in the AFL and its developmental league known as arenafootball2.

When Carter retired from playing after the 2010 season with the Iowa Barnstormers, he began scouting for Stoute, who by then was coaching the Milwaukee Mustangs of the AFL.

'I owe a lot to him,” Carter said.

Stoute continued to mentor Carter as he cut his coaching teeth tutoring defensive backs over the next four years, primarily in the state of Iowa with stops at Graceland (2010), West Des Moines Valley (2011, 2014) and Drake (2012-13). When Drake Coach Chris Creighton left the Bulldogs for Eastern Michigan after the 2013 season, Carter stepped down.

Last season, he split time between West Des Moines Valley and the Florida Blacktips of the FXFL. Now, he reunites with Stoute.

'I know Coach Stoute is a brilliant offensive mind and he'll have that side of the ball,” Carter said. 'I'll give all the support I can by helping him produce a terrific defensive effort on our side of the ball.”

A native of Little Rock (Ark.), Carter played his college ball at the University of Arkansas from 1994-97 before completing his undergraduate work at Arkansas-Little Rock. In addition to his vast arena ball experience, he attended Buffalo Bills training camp in 2004 and has played in both the Canadian Football League and NFL Europe.

Through all of his travels, he earned his master's degree while coaching at Drake and has established roots in the Hawkeye state. His wife, Courtney, is a native of Newton and Carter is a committed mentor to at-risk youth, most recently in Des Moines.

'I'm here, I'm an Iowan,” Carter said. 'I'm dedicated to the West Des Moines community, and I hope the Cedar Rapids community embraces me as well.”

The Titans play the Nebraska Danger Feb. 13 at the U.S. Cellular before beginning the regular season Feb. 28 against the Iowa Barnstormers.

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