‘Mr. Enthusiasm’ set to join Storm Hall of Fame

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Storm have struggled to find wins, but the IFL regular season is guaranteed to end on a high note Saturday, with the induction of a long-time coach into the team’s Hall of Fame.

The population of the Sioux Falls Storm Hall of Fame will grow by one on Saturday.

“(laugh) I wish I could say ‘Mr. Enthusiasm’, but it’s Brian Hermanson, our former defensive coordinator,” Storm Head Coach Andre Fields said.

Brian Hermanson has spent more than 40 years on the local sidelines, including 12 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Storm. He helped the franchise win seven championships, and will become the 13th member of the team’s hall of fame.

“Hermy kind of fits what Storm football has been. It’s been fun, enthusiastic, we’ve been winners, and he embodies all of those characteristics,” Fields said.

“It was a riot. It was one of the most fascinating times I had coaching,” Storm Hall of Fame inductee Hermanson said.

The honor isn’t lost on Hermanson.

“You know, you look up there and all those guys up there right now were players that I got an opportunity to be part of a team with or coach,” Hermanson said. “Means a lot,” Hermanson added.

Hermanson is the Storm’s first inductee since 2021, and is also the first coach to be enshrined.

“When you win awards like this it’s due to a lot of great people surrounding you and winning a lot and I was in a position where that happened,” Hermanson said.

Hermanson has been out of the IFL for nearly two full seasons. He misses working with the players and the atmosphere of game day.

“The fans make it so much fun, whether they’re yelling positive things at you or negative things at you, but you meet so many great people in this game,” Hermanson said.

As for Saturday’s festivities, seeing his former players will have “Mr. Enthusiam” turning emotional.

“There were so many great players that I had a chance to coach, so many players and people that are deserving to go up there, just like myself, but it’ll be emotional because I’m an emotional guy. Yeah, that’ll be the thing. I’m just honored and blessed to be going up there,” Hermanson said.

Hermanson still helps out on the sidelines at O’Gorman High School.

The Storm close the season Saturday night against the Green Bay Blizzard. Kickoff is set for 7:05 at the Premier Center. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place during halftime.

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