Emotional win for Breakers’ veteran QB, first-time head coach in opener

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — New Orleans Breakers coach John DeFilippo found his father, Gene, on the sideline at Protective Stadium and hugged him amid the frenzied joy of Breakers players. With his first opportunity to coach a professional football team after 15 years as an assistant in the NFL, he coached his team to a 22-15 win against the Pittsburgh Maulers on Sunday night.

“This is a very, very…