INDIANAPOLIS -- Former NFL quarterback Steve DeBerg was selected as coach of the Arena Football League's Indiana Firebirds on Wednesday.

DeBerg, 49, played 17 years in the NFL with five teams and has some coaching experience. He had brief stints as quarterbacks coach with the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons in the mid-1990s.

"I am extremely excited about this new opportunity," DeBerg said. "The Firebirds have been one of the most successful organizations in the Arena Football League. I look forward to assembling a coaching staff and the challenge of bringing the Firebirds back to one of the elite franchises in the Arena Football League."

DeBerg will be the fourth coach for the franchise, which is heading into its 15th season. It is the fourth in Indianapolis since the move from Albany, N.Y.

He will replace Mike Dailey, who left to coach the second-year Colorado Crush after seven years as Firebirds coach. The Firebirds were 6-10 last season.