IFL Green Bay Blizzard

Blizzard Coaching Staff Finalized

January 11, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


The Green Bay Blizzard and Head Coach Rik Richards are proud to announce today that the 2010 coaching staff is now in place. Richards is once again joined by Defensive Coordinator Billy Sanders and Offensive Coordinator Roger Farrar. Joining the trio this year will be Chad Michalkiewicz, who will coach the Offensive and Defensive Lines. Fan favorite Robert Garth will make his coaching debut as the Assistant Head coach.

Coach Billy Sanders rejoins Coach Richards and Coach Farrar in Green Bay for the 2010 as the three were together in previous stops in St. Louis, Missouri for one season and Rockford, Illinois for three seasons. Coach Sanders joins the Blizzard for his first year as Defensive Coordinator after spending one year with River City Rage in St. Charles, Mo where he was also the Defensive Coordinator. He previously spent three seasons with the Rock River Raptors in Rockford, Illinois, where he spent two seasons (2007-2008) as the Defensive Coordinator and one season (2006) as the teams Defensive Backs Coach. Coach Sanders has been a coach at every level from high school to the professional ranks for more than twenty years. In addition to the time he has spent coaching various high school teams, he has professional experience in the CIFL, UIFL, and the NAFL. As a player, he was often recognized with All-League honors as defensive back and was invited to participate in three different NFL Camps.

Coach Roger Farrar joins the Blizzard for his first year as Offensive Coordinator after spending one season with the River City Rage in St. Charles, Mo where he was the Offensive Coordinator. He spent three seasons with the Rock River Raptors in Rockford, Illinois. He spent two seasons as the Offensive Coordinator and one season as the Running Backs Coach. Under Farrar's guidance as the Offensive Coordinator the Rage averaged over 50 points per game in 2009 and the Raptors averaged 53 points per game in 2008. Coach Farrar was the Running Backs Coach of the Rockford Lions, a semi-pro football team. He also owned the Forest City Gladiators/ McHenry County Gladiators, a semi-pro football team. Farrar was a U. S. Marine from 1982-1986 where he also played football. He also played football for Rockford Lutheran High School. He has a Degree in Business Management and a Minor in Marketing and Finance from Southern Illinois University. He is a Retired City of Rockford Police Officer. Farrar is a Native of Rockford, Illinois.

Coach Chad Michalkiewicz is a native of Green Bay, WI and graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School. He played collegiate football at Lawrence University in 2004 and is currently entering his 6th season of coaching football, this year being his first year in the indoor game. Chad began his coaching career at Cotter High School in Winona, MN from 2005-2007. He assisted teams that won a conference championship in 2005, a section championship in 2006 and a state quarterfinals appearance in 2006. His coaching career continued as an Assistant Coach at Winona State University for the 2006 season, working primarily with the defensive backs. He helped coach a defense that led the NSIC in turnover margin. Chad also coached two players to All-Conference accolades, with one player also receiving All-Region honors. Most recently Chad has served as a Defensive Assistant on the Northwestern University football staff for the summer of 2009 and is currently working as a teacher at Hemlock Creek Elementary School in the West De Pere School District. Chad resides in near by De Pere, WI.

Coach Robert Garth was a linebacker and wide receiver that played for eight seasons in arenafootball2. Garth is best known for his six-plus seasons with the Green Bay Blizzard. He played for the team from 2003-2006 and again in 2008 through 2009. Garth retired at the conclusion of the 2009 season even though he set career-highs in receptions (88) and receiving yards (971 yards). He finishes his career as the Blizzard all-time leading scorer (650 points). Garth attended Flint Northern High School and was a member of their state championship basketball and football team. Garth has also played professional basketball in the CBA for the Fort Wayne Fury. He played both basketball and football while attending New Mexico State University. Garth resides in Green Bay.

"To be able to add Coach Farrar and Coach Sanders to Green Bay for what now will be our 5th year together is extremely exciting and brings a huge comfort level for all of us, having worked together successfully in all of our previous stops together. The fans and players will not find two better coaches of the indoor game, but even more so better men and role models. I consider them as my family and after meeting them and watching them work closely with our young athletes and in our community you will see why," said Richards.

He added, "Coach Garth's transition from player to Coach should be fun to watch and I think he will not only help us all assimilate into the Green Bay community, but bring some coaching points to the Rookies that will be invaluable to our players and staff. Coach Michalkiewicz has been at the College level and High School level, and reminds me a lot of myself early in my coaching career and I think he will be like a sponge all year long sucking up the knowledge that the 30 plus years we have of combined of Coaching the Arena/Indoor game has given us."

The Blizzard are a proud new member of the Indoor Football League. The 2010 home opener is March 19th against the La Crosse Spartans. 2010 season tickets start as low as $56 and are available by calling (920) 405-1264 or visiting our website www.greenbayblizzard.com.



Indoor Football League Stories from January 11, 2010


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