Green Bay Blizzard Promote Chad Baldwin To Head Coach

Green Bay Blizzard Head Coach Robert Fuller was dismissed today by Blizzard Chief Operating Officer Art Clarkson. Defensive Coordinator Chad Baldwin was named Head Coach for the remainder of the 2013 season.

"In the first six games our performance has not been acceptable. If we don't make a move now it would be totally unacceptable," stated COO Art Clarkson. "We can make the playoffs but it will be a challenge and Chad Baldwin has accepted that challenge."

Clarkson added, "We play six of our last eight games in our division. We don't need help from other teams, but we need to do the job. This is Green Bay and we are expected to win."

Baldwin is in his second season with the Blizzard. In his first season as defensive coordinator the Blizzard finished best in the league in yards allowed per game with 206.6 and second in points allowed per game with 41.9.

Prior to joining the Blizzard, Baldwin was Director of Coaches and Scouts for the All-American Bowl games held throughout the United States. In addition, Baldwin was inducted into the Minor League News Hall of Fame for his accomplishments with the Central Minnesota Thunderbirds semi-pro football team. He is still the youngest coach at any level to be inducted into a hall of fame.

Robert Fuller was hired last season by the Blizzard and led the team to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the United Conference Championship game. In addition, he was also the recipient of the IFL Adam Pringle award for the last two seasons which recognizes community service.

Fuller started the 2013 season 1-5 and leaves Green Bay with a regular season record of 12-8.

The Green Bay Blizzard return home to play the Tri-Cities Fever on Saturday April 20. Kickoff is at 7 P.M. The game is Ahman Green Bobblehead Night where the first 1,500 youth age 14 and under will receive a free Ahman Green Bobblehead.

Green Bay Blizzard Handle Cedar Rapids Titans,67-47, In Preseason Opener

Play defense and run the ball. Those were the two main staples of the Green Bay Blizzard in 2012. If Thursday night's preseason game against the Cedar Rapids Titans is any indication they will again be the main staples of the 2013.
The Blizzard defeated the Cedar Rapids Titans 67-47 on Mediacom Field at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena Thursday Night. The Blizzard rushed for six touchdowns, scored a defensive touchdown on one of the first plays of the game, and led the entire game.
The Cedar Rapids Titans came into the game sporting a new look from 2012. Headed by new Head Coach Mark Stoute, as well as several former Blizzard players including RB LaRon Council, WR Bryan Pray, WR Desmond Tardy and LB Trevor Glomski the Titans looked to try finally end their losing streak against the Blizzard.
Green Bay, again led by two-time IFL Coach of the Year, Robert Fuller, got off to an incredibly hot start as LB Derek Earls recovered a Cedar Rapids fumble for a touchdown on the Titans first drive. Earls then recovered another Titans fumble on their next possession setting up a short field for RB Joshua Murray to give the Blizzard an early 13-0 lead.
The Blizzard never looked back and never trailed throughout the game. Murray would again score in the first quarter, his second of three touchdowns on the night, and help give the Blizzard a 27-14 lead going into the second quarter.
The Blizzard would continue to pile on the points in the second quarter as RB Joel Yogerst, WR Justin Williams, RB Levell Coppage all scored touchdowns and helped give the Blizzard a 47-33 lead at halftime. The Blizzard's 47 points at halftime would have tied a franchise record had the game been a regular season game.
Both teams defenses stiffened in the third quarter as neither team found the endzone. Both teams forced each other to turn the ball over on downs deep into each other's territory. The Blizzard then added three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter and were able to hold off the Titans.
The Blizzard's three headed rushing attack of RB Joshua Murray, RB Levell Coppage and RB Joel Yogerst combined for five rushing touchdown. Murray and Coppage each finished the night with two touchdowns while Yogerst added another one.

Green Bay Blizzard Announce Partnership with Synergy Fields

Synergy Fields, LLC is joining forces with the Green Bay Blizzard to help support the success of the local indoor football team. Scheduled to open in December 2012, Synergy Fields, LLC will house a 13,500 square foot all-synthetic turf field and will work in partnership with the Green Bay Blizzard to host the indoor football team's tryouts, training camp, and regular season practice.
"I am extremely excited to have Synergy Fields partner with the Green Bay Blizzard and be the official practice facility. Coach Robert Fuller is a man of high character, high moral values, and with great integrity. Those are the type of traits that we put great emphasis on at Synergy Fields. That made this relationship a great fit. Those are the types of leaders and people we want in our building and to do business with. We look forward of being part of the Green Bay Blizzard's continued success," stated Scotty Smith, owner of Synergy Fields.
Synergy Fields also encourages Green Bay Blizzard fans to get in on the action. All regular season practices will be open to the public. The 2013 Blizzard practice schedule is to be announced.
"The Blizzard organization is happy to be part of a great project that is going to be a great asset to the greater Green Bay community. You have to be excited for what Scotty Smith and his organization has accomplished," stated Art Clarkson, Chief Operating Officer of the Green Bay Blizzard.

Indoor Football League Announces MVP and Head Coach of the Year

The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 IFL MVP and IFL Coach of the Year.
IFL MVP: Sioux Falls Storm QB Chris Dixon (6'0, 200, Humbolt St. ) has been named the 2012 IFL MVP of the Year. This is Dixon's third MVP award. He previously won the award in 2009 and 2011. Richmond's Bryan Randall won the award in 2010.
A veteran of the indoor game Dixon showcased his incredible accuracy and big play ability all season long as had one of greatest seasons in IFL history. Dixon led the Storm to an undefeated (14-0) regular season; a first in IFL history. He also set IFL records in pass efficiency (133.3), completion percentage (74) and passing yards (3,321). In addition, Dixon led the IFL in touchdown passes with 67.
As a duel- threat QB, Dixon also finished second in the League in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns with 711 and 30, respectively. He also led the IFL in yards per rush with 6.0. Dixon finished the 2012 regular season with 97 total touchdowns. Since joining the Sioux Falls Storm in 2011, Dixon has the Storm to an unblemished home record of 18-0. Dixon was also selected as the IFL Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.
Dixon is set to play in his fourth IFL Conference Championship, against the Green Bay Blizzard on Saturday, June 30 at 7:05 p.m. CT.
IFL Coach of the Year: Green Bay Blizzard Head Coach Robert Fuller has been named the 2012 IFL Head Coach of the Year. In his first year with Green Bay, Fuller led the Blizzard to an impressive 11-3 regular season in 2012. This is Fuller's second consecutive IFL Coach of the Year award. He was awarded IFL Coach of the Year in 2011 as Head Coach of the Fairbanks Grizzlies.
Known as a defensive mind, Fuller's defense has set the tone this season. Green Bay's defense allowed an IFL- low 206.6 yards per game and also forced a League-leading 40 turnovers. Seven of those turnovers directly resulted in defensive touchdowns.
Fuller also brings a more traditional take on offense to the IFL as evidenced by the Blizzard's run-first approach. The Blizzard led the League in rushing with 1,458 yards. 1,040 of those yards were by RB LaRon Council. Under Fuller's guidance, Council became the first Indoor Football League player to rush for 1,000 yards, an extreme rarity in indoor football. The Blizzard's special teams unit was second in the IFL in kick return yards and managed to return five kickoffs for touchdowns, good for second in the League.
"I would like to thank our young men, assistant coaches, and our support staff, in particular Assistant Head Coach Chad Baldwin, who is more deserving of the award than I am. Coach of the Year awards are awarded due to the effort of everyone involved in the program, not the efforts of one individual," Fuller stated.
Coach Fuller was also selected for the IFL's Adam Pringle award on Tuesday. The Adam Pringle award is given to the player or coach who exemplified outstanding service and dedication to their surrounding community.
All awards were determined through a coaches' vote.

Green Bay Blizzard's LaRon Council Rushes for 1000 yards

Green Bay running back Green Bay running back La'Ron Council (5’10, 205, Northwest Missouri St.) broke four different IFL records on Saturday night as the Blizzard (11-3) defeated the Wichita Wild (8-6) 72-41.
Council broke the IFL record for rushing attempts in a season midway through the opening period. The previous record had been 231, but Council finished with 30 carries for 148 yards (team record and 2012 IFL season-high) to end the season with 256 carries. Then with 4:30 remaining in the first half Council toted the ball for 5 yards which was enough for him to surpass the IFL record for rushing yards in a season (previously 936). In an eventful second half Council passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark on the season, as well as set the single-season record for rushing touchdowns (42) on his fifth TD run of the game. Head coach Robert Fuller had nothing but praise for his star running back, "It's been an absolute pleasure to coach La'Ron, he is probably the most unselfish football player I have ever coached and it couldn't happen to a better guy." Council finished the regular season with 1,040 rushing yards. Pondering all of the accolades coming his way and the amount of records he has broken Council said after the game, "Wow....It was a tremendous team effort; it took all of the guys who were out there, linemen, receivers, and coaches to accomplish these feats."
Council broke the IFL record for rushing attempts in a season midway through the opening period. The previous record had been 231, but Council finished with 30 carries for 148 yards (team record and 2012 IFL season-high) to end the season with 256 carries. Then with 4:30 remaining in the first half Council toted the ball for 5 yards which was enough for him to surpass the IFL record for rushing yards in a season (previously 936). In an eventful second half Council passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark on the season, as well as set the single-season record for rushing touchdowns (42) on his fifth TD run of the game. Head coach Robert Fuller had nothing but praise for his star running back, "It's been an absolute pleasure to coach La'Ron, he is probably the most unselfish football player I have ever coached and it couldn't happen to a better guy." Council finished the regular season with 1,040 rushing yards. Pondering all of the accolades coming his way and the amount of records he has broken Council said after the game, "Wow....It was a tremendous team effort; it took all of the guys who were out there, linemen, receivers, and coaches to accomplish these feats."

 Council's feat is a first for the IFL and is also the first time there has been any 1,000 yard rusher in any indoor football league since 2005.

Ahman Green is New Ownership Partner of Green Bay Blizzard

The Green Bay Blizzard held a Press Conference at Curly's Pub today to introduce former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green as a new ownership partner. The Packers all-time leading rusher joins an ownership group that took over the Blizzard franchise in November of 2009. The group includes Matt Umentum, Tom Burgess, John Meyer, Bob Weyers and Art Clarkson.
Green said, "I want to be involved in football and I have been a part of Green Bay for a long time and it's a great opportunity to give back to the community and be a part of a great organization like the Green Bay Blizzard."
Green was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a high school All-America selection and state Player of the Year at Central High School in Omaha. Green was a two-time Academic All-State selection as a prep and later earned Academic All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 1996 at the University of Nebraska.
Green was drafted in the 3rd round by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1998 NFL Draft before being traded to the Packers in 2000.
From the time he joined the Packers in 2000 up through the end of the 2004 season, Green gained more rushing yards (6,848) than any other NFL player. In 2003, he set a franchise record by rushing for 1,883 yards during the regular season.
After the 2006 season, Green became a free agent and signed with the Houston Texans, joining his former coach Mike Sherman. In Houston he carried most of the workload in a crowded back field, before being released in 2009. On October 21, 2009, he resigned with the Packers. On November 8, 2009 Green broke Jim Taylor's record to become the all-time leading rusher in Packers history. Green rushed for a franchise-best 8,322 yards in his eight seasons with the Packers.
Green retired from football in 2011. He has been married to Marie Green for four years and they have 5 children. Green has given time to the Boys & Girls Club in his hometown of Omaha and the Husker Outreach Program at Nebraska. He is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Green has also established the Ahman Green Foundation which directs money toward childrens causes. Among his hobbies are movies, video games and hanging out with friends and family.