Minnesota Monsters Football Team Head Coach Announces Departure

It appears another big change is ahead for the Duluth-based Minnesota Monsters arena football team after recently announcing its move to a new league.

For the last two years, the team had been known as the Duluth Harbor Monsters, winning the first two ArenaMania Championships in the history of The Arena League. This fall, the Monsters announced they would be departing for a new league and taking on the name "Minnesota Monsters" as part of the move.

In the wake of that news, it looks like more change is ahead for the Monsters. Coach Tony O'Neil published a statement on his social media account on Wednesday afternoon, revealing he will be leaving the role for the upcoming season in what he calls "a necessary pause" after leading the team to two championships in their previous league.

Coach O'Neil said, "Mental health is something we often push to the back burner — especially in the world of sports", pointing to how toughness and strength are praised and rewarded in a tough-guy sport like football.

READ MORE: What To Know About The Monsters' Move To The New Arena League AF1

He shared that he was proud of being part of building "something special", a team with a winning culture. Expressing how deeply he cares about his players and what this team has become, he explained, " I owe it to this team — and to myself — to step away and get the help I need" with his stated goal of stepping away being "to come out of this stronger, healthier, and ready to pour all of my energy into the most important part of my life: my children."

O'Neil noted, "This isn’t goodbye — it’s a necessary pause", expressing gratitude to the players, his coaching staff, front office, and fans "for allowing me this space to heal" and for their understanding and support. 

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His statement highlights that the decision to step away came with the full support of team ownership and the front office, and calling it "a necessary pause" suggests there is a hope to return to the team.

In the meantime, the Minnesota Monsters will look to fill the vacancy left by O'Neil's departure ahead of their first season in AF1, the new league they're joining for the 2026 season.

The upcoming 2026 schedule has not been announced yet, but Monsters GM Steve Walters says the new season is expected to start in April 2026.