Bandits re-sign veterans and coaches - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

The Sioux City Bandits will enter a new league next season, but they're bringing back some familiar faces.

Head coach Erv Strohbeen announced that offensive coordinator Jarrod DeGeorgia will return. He's called the plays for Bandit teams that have gone 28-0 over the last two seasons. Special teams coach Keith Chapman is also back for his second season.

Three veteran players are returning.

Linebacker Spetlar Tonga is back for his ninth season. He has over 600 career tackles, which is first in team history.

Wide receiver Damon Mothershead is back for season number-7, looking to add to his career total of 46 touchdowns. And receiver Chase Colvin is back for his third campaign. The Briar Cliff grad had two TD's last season.

These guys aren't ready to give up their roster spots to the youngsters just yet .

"That's why I have to work out every day, to kind of stay ahead of them as younger athletes," said Tonga. "I just try to prove to them that this old man still has it."

"The core guys that have been here and been playing for the last four or five years, that's the thing that really brings me back every year," said Mothershead. It's still the love for the game, to be able to play, that's what really brings me back."

The Bandits will hold two tryout camps. The first one is Saturday, December 15th, at the Long Lines Family Center in Sioux City. The second camp is Sunday, January 20th at the Tyson Events Center.