2006, the Thunder parted ways with Bryson. After an extensive search, the Thunder named former CFL Rookie of The Year, FSU Seminole, New York Giant and Tampa Bay Buc Leon Bright as Head Coach/Director Of Football Operations. WIFL Era The team later decided to join the newly formed World Indoor Football League for the 2007 season as a charter member, joining their former AIFL rival, the Augusta Spartans and two other teams. Tragedy struck the team on February 26, 2007, when defensive back Javan Camon was killed after a hard but clean hit during a game with the Columbus Lions. The player, once a captain at the University of South Florida, likely broke his neck in the hit. Major arena news hit Daytona Beach with the word that Barry Wagner (former Orlando Predators & San Jose SaberCats WR/DB) would be joining the team after getting cut from the Tampa Bay Storm at the beginning of the 2007 AFL season. The Thunder finished at 4–10, last in the league, and was the only team out of the four in the league not to qualify for the postseason. On September 19, 2007, Daytona Beach announced they were leaving the WIFL in hopes of joining AF2 for either the 2008 or 2009 season. The WIFL ceased operations soon afterwards. af2 On November 20, 2007, the team announced they had successfully joined the AF2, and would begin play there for the 2008 season. They changed their name to the ThunderBirds so as not to conflict with their fellow AF2 franchise the Mahoning Valley Thunder; they were the second team to bear that name in Daytona Beach football history; an outdoor team played in the Southern Professional Football League from 1962 to 1964 under the same name. According to AF2 website the Thunderbirds have folded as they are not on the team list. Season-by-season |- | colspan="6" align="center" | Daytona Beach Hawgs (NIFL) |- |2005 || 8 || 6 || 0 || 3rd Southern || -- |- | colspan="6" align="center" | Daytona Beach Thunder (AIFL) |- |2006 || 6 || 8 || 0 || 5th Southern || -- |- | colspan="6" align="center" | Daytona Beach Thunder (WIFL) |- |2007 || 4 || 10 || 0 || 4th League || -- |- | colspan="6" align="center" | Daytona Beach ThunderBirds (af2) |- |2008 || 2 || 14 || 0 || 4th AC South || -- |- !Totals