Former CFL defensive coordinator Kahlil Carter hired by Utah Great 8s in International Arena League

Photo Courtesy: Calgary Stampeders

Former CFL coach Kahlil Carter has been hired as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Utah Great 8s in the International Arena League.

The 49-year-old served as the defensive backs coach for the Calgary Stampeders for three years (2015-2017) before becoming the defensive coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes. He resigned suddenly prior to training camp in 2018, citing personal reasons, and transitioned into a role in the team’s scouting department.

Carter briefly served as head coach of the Cologne Centurions in the European League of Football in 2023, but stepped down before ever coaching a game.

The Arkansas native was a versatile defensive back who played in the CFL, NFL, NFL Europe, and Arena Football League. He was a member of the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes and played 35 games from 2005 to 2008, recording 75 tackles, 10 special teams tackles, 10 interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns.

Carter is a legend in arena football, winning AF2 Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and being named second-team All-Arena in 2005. His jersey was retired by the Arkansas Twisters, and he was named to the AF2’s all-time anniversary team.

The Utah Great 8s are based in Salt Lake City and will begin play in April as part of the International Arena League. The upstart league will have 10 teams for its inaugural season, five on each side of the Atlantic Ocean. The Great 8s play in the US Conference with the Arizona Juggernauts, Cincinnati Slingers, Las Vegas Rockers, and Pennsylvania Benjamins. The EU Conference features the Düsseldorf Warriors and Stuttgart Stallions in Germany, the Zurich Ibexx in Switzerland, and the England Eruptors and Glasgow Tartans in the United Kingdom.