What Is 2015 New Orleans VooDoo football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 New Orleans VooDoo was an Arena Football League (AFL) team that finished the season with a 3-13 record, marking their final year before folding. Head coach Dean Cokinos led the team, which played home games at the Smoothie King Center.

Key Facts

The 2015 New Orleans VooDoo finished with a 3-13 win-loss record in the Arena Football League.
Head coach Dean Cokinos led the team during its final season of operation.
The VooDoo played home games at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The team was established in 2004 and ceased operations after the 2015 season.
New Orleans VooDoo averaged approximately 10,000 fans per home game in 2015.

Overview

The 2015 New Orleans VooDoo was a professional indoor football team competing in the Arena Football League (AFL), representing New Orleans, Louisiana. This season marked the franchise's final year of operation after a turbulent run that began in 2004 and included a hiatus from 2006 to 2013.

Under head coach Dean Cokinos, the 2015 VooDoo struggled on the field, finishing with a disappointing 3-13 record. Despite efforts to energize the fanbase and improve performance, the team ceased operations after the season due to financial instability and declining league support.

Final Season: The 2015 campaign was the last for the New Orleans VooDoo before the franchise folded due to financial and organizational challenges within the AFL.
Record: The team finished with a 3-13 win-loss record, placing them near the bottom of the Southern Division standings.
Home Venue: All home games were played at the Smoothie King Center, which has a seating capacity of approximately 17,000 for football events.
Attendance: Average attendance hovered around 10,000 per game, a decline from earlier years, reflecting waning local interest and league-wide struggles.
Historical Run: The VooDoo originally launched in 2004, went dormant after 2005, and returned in 2014 before shutting down permanently after 2015.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 2015 New Orleans VooDoo followed standard Arena Football League protocols for team management, gameplay, and season scheduling. Each element contributed to the team's performance and organizational sustainability.

Roster Size: AFL teams like the VooDoo carried 20 active players per game, with strict salary cap limits affecting talent acquisition and depth.
Game Format: Each game consisted of four 15-minute quarters, played on a 50-yard field with rebound nets, distinguishing it from outdoor football.
Coaching Leadership: Dean Cokinos, previously a defensive coordinator, took over as head coach and was responsible for both strategy and player development.
Player Salaries: Most players earned between $400 and $1,000 per game, contributing to high turnover and limited offseason preparation.
Season Length: The 2015 AFL regular season spanned 16 games, with the VooDoo winning only three contests against teams like the Spokane Shock and Jacksonville Sharks.
League Structure: The AFL operated with a single-table standings format, though divisions were used for scheduling; the VooDoo played in the Southern Division.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 New Orleans VooDoo compared to other AFL teams in key performance and operational metrics:

Team	Record (W-L)	Division Rank	Avg. Attendance	Head Coach
New Orleans VooDoo	3-13	4th (Southern)	~10,000	Dean Cokinos
Spokane Shock	10-6	1st (Western)	~11,500	Andy Olson
Orlando Predators	8-8	2nd (Southern)	~10,800	Lee Johnson
Philadelphia Soul	14-2	1st (American)	~12,200	Clint Dolezel
Arizona Rattlers	13-3	1st (Western)	~13,500	Kevin Guy

The VooDoo’s performance lagged significantly behind top teams like the Philadelphia Soul and Arizona Rattlers, both of which advanced deep into the playoffs. Their low win total and middling attendance reflected broader challenges facing the AFL, including inconsistent funding, fluctuating team stability, and competition from other sports leagues.

Why It Matters

The 2015 New Orleans VooDoo season is significant as a case study in the challenges of sustaining niche professional sports leagues in mid-sized markets. Its closure highlighted structural issues within the AFL that ultimately contributed to the league’s suspension of operations in 2019.

End of an Era: The VooDoo’s folding marked the end of professional indoor football in New Orleans, closing a 12-year franchise history with two distinct eras.
League Instability: The AFL lost multiple franchises after 2015, signaling systemic financial and operational problems across the league.
Local Impact: The team provided entertainment and local jobs, and its departure left a void in New Orleans’ sports culture.
Player Pathways: The VooDoo served as a developmental platform for athletes aiming to reach the NFL or other major leagues.
Urban Revitalization: The team’s return in 2014 was part of broader efforts to restore normalcy and civic pride after Hurricane Katrina.
Sports Business Lessons: The VooDoo’s failure underscores the importance of sustainable ownership, fan engagement, and league governance in minor professional sports.

The story of the 2015 VooDoo remains a cautionary tale about the fragility of alternative sports leagues and the challenges of maintaining fan interest in a crowded entertainment landscape.