Another USFL organization has seen a personnel shakeup. The Houston Gamblers have hired Lionel Vital to be their General Manager, officially moving on from Robert Morris, per sources.
Breaking: Houston Gamblers GM Robert Morris has stepped down, per sources.
His replacement is Lionel Vital, source confirms. Vital has plenty of professional experience in both the CFL and NFL, and joins the @USFLGamblers ahead of the #USFL 2024 season.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 14, 2023
Robert Morris has been heavily involved with the Houston Gamblers for the past two seasons, serving as the Director of Player Personnel and General Manager. He’s coordinated most of the signings Houston has made through 2022-2023.
Now, the organization is heading in a different direction. Lionel Vital has been officially designated as Morris’ replacement, bringing plenty of professional football experience to the table.
Lionel Vital Notables:
– 2000: Hired by New England Patriots as a National Scout
– 2005: Hired by Baltimore Ravens as a National Scout
– 2006: Earned Fritz Pollard Alliance Scouting Award honors
– 2007: Hired by Atlanta Falcons as Assistant Director of Player Personnel, promoted to DPP in 2013
– 2016: Hired by Dallas Cowboys as the Director of College Scouting
Clearly, Lionel has quite the resume, and is already getting to work since being hired. Most recently, the Houston Gamblers signed Center Jakari Robinson.
The Houston Gamblers are signing Center Jakari Robinson, per source.
Robinson played for Cincinnati, before transferring to Bowling Green. He most recently had a stint with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders, and now lands with the @USFLGamblers for the 2024 #USFL season.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 4, 2023
This move stems from Head Coach Curtis Johnson looking to work with some of his own personnel. Since Curtis joined Houston late in the season one transition (February 2023) due to Kevin Sumlin’s resignation, he didn’t make too many adjustments on that end originally.
The USFL has already seen another GM change, as Lonnie Young was replaced with Dennis Polian in Pittsburgh. Both of these moves came quickly after season two concluded.
The Houston Gamblers are looking to rebound from a 5-5 record in 2023. For two seasons in the USFL, the organization has not been able to clinch a playoff berth, and will look to change that in 2024 under the leadership of Curtis Johnson and Lionel Vital.
What are your thoughts on Lionel Vital joining the Houston Gamblers? What are your thoughts on these personnel changes in the USFL? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
