Eastern Kentucky Drillers
 |
|
| Founded | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2013 |
| League |
United Indoor Football League (2011–2012) Continental Indoor Football League (2013) |
| Team history | Eastern Kentucky Drillers (2011–2012) Kentucky Drillers (2013) |
| Based in | Pikeville, Kentucky |
| Arena | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center |
| Colors | Black and Yellow |
| Owner(s) | Rick Kranz |
| President | Rick Kranz |
| Head coach | Rick Kranz |
| Championships | 0 |
| Dancers | Drillbits |
| Mascot | Digger |
| Website | kentuckydrillers.com |
The Kentucky Drillers were a professional indoor football team based in Pikeville, Kentucky. The franchise started as the Eastern Kentucky Drillers and joined the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2013 after playing their first two seasons as a charter member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) for its inaugural 2011 season. The owner of the Drillers was Rick Kranz. The Drillers played their home games at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, Kentucky.
On November 26, 2010, the UIFL announced that the team in Pikeville, Kentucky, would be named the Eastern Kentucky Drillers. The Drillers lost their first game in franchise history, a 44-49 defeat to the hands of the Saginaw Sting. Even in the defeat, two Drillers (Aric Evans and David Jones), won the first ever Offensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week Awards in the history of the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The following week, the Drillers played their first ever home game at Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, and in front of 3,500 fans, the Drillers won 37-26 over the Huntington Hammer.
The Drillers made few changes to their team going into 2012, but the hiring of defensive coordinator, Jimmy Brookins was going to be vital to another Ultimate Bowl run, as he looked to keep the Drillers atop the UIFL rankings for defense.
On July 19, 2012, it was announced that the Drillers would leave the UIFL and join the Continental Indoor Football League, and change their name to the Kentucky Drillers. During this season, Prestonsburg, Kentucky, mayor and Drillers' investor, Jerry Fannin, used city money to help fund the team. It was estimated he spent approximately $7,800 on the team and he was charged in February 2017.
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