Bonar to take reduced role, Blackburn hired as head coach

Published on May 16, 2005 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds News Release


The Ohio Valley Greyhounds are pleases to announce the appointing of Mike Blackburn as head coach. Mike will be replacing Mark Bonar (46-6) the franchise's all-time leader in wins. Bonar will remain with the team in a reduced role accepting the position of offensive coordinator.

Since the firing of Mike Siani after the April 10 home loss to Ft. Wayne Bonar has served the club as head coach where he won two NIFL Indoor Bowl titles. Among his coaching staff has been Blackburn along with Walt Skaggs, Mark Holenka, Lance Mehl and Gregg Bonar. The coaching staff will remain in tact with Blackburn moving from offensive line coach to head coach.

The Greyhounds organization could not have selected a replacement for Bonar with more ties to the team. Blackburn, a standout at Indian Creek high school attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio where he earned All-American honors in both football and wrestling.

Following a successful playing career at B-W, Blackburn spent a short time playing football in Austria with the Graz Giants before returning home and becoming an invited participant in the Ohio Valley Greyhounds open tryout in 2001. Blackburn went to training camp with the team and moved to center in Wilkie Perez's offense. After handling the switch beautifully he joined with Jason Whitfield and Jason Hupp to form the "Big Uglies". The offensive line unit defined the team for four seasons and was the heart and soul of the team as well as the reason for the team's vaunted running game.

Blackburn was an all NIFL honoree and is currently on the football staff at his alma mater Indian Creek and also serves as head wrestling coach. He is married and resides in Wheeling.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Indoor Football Association Stories from May 16, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central