Fairbanks Grizzlies Announce New Head Coach
October 19, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Fairbanks Grizzlies News Release
The Fairbanks Grizzlies are proud to announce their new head coach for the 2011 season. Effective immediately, Robert Fuller will assume the duties as head coach for the Fairbanks Grizzlies Professional Indoor Football Team. "We are quite excited and very much looking forward to having Coach Fuller pick up the reins and lead this team forward." "We believe Coach Fuller to be the perfect fit for the Grizzlies and our community."
Robert Fuller, a North Pole High School graduate of the class of 1990 and football standout is no stranger to Alaska or indoor football having most recently served as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Omaha Beef. "I am excited to return to Alaska and I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this promising franchise."
Coach Fuller began his coaching career at North Pole High School in 1994, serving as the team's defensive coordinator and offensive line coach. In his 4th year the Patriots ended a 10 year play off drought led by one of the states top defenses. Robert took a break from coaching to earn his teaching degree and complete his college eligibility at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Robert was an offensive lineman on UMary's 11-2 conference championship team that made it to the NAIA National Semi-Finals. In 2000, Robert went on to play indoor football for the Madison Mad Dogs, who made a play off run before eventually losing to the IFL Champion Peoria Pirates.
Fuller began his indoor coaching career in 2002 as the line coach for the Bismarck Roughriders. The Roughriders finished 12-4 and won the West Division title. In 2003 Robert went on to become the defensive line coach for the Omaha Beef who finished 12-4 and won the North Division title. In 2004, Fuller was selected as the Head Coach of the Tri-City Diesel in Kearney, NE. Taking over a team that went 4-10 the year before, Fuller engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in the league by leading the Diesel to an 11-3 regular season record, a Pacific South Division Title, and the first play-off appearance in franchise history. Fuller was selected as the Pacific South Division Coach of the Year.
In 2005, Fuller became the Head Coach of the Omaha Beef. In two seasons with the Omaha Beef, his teams recorded 17 wins, extended Omaha's home play-off hosting streak to 7 straight years, and recorded the franchises' first ever road wins at division rivals Sioux Falls and Sioux City. In each of his two seasons he was selected by the coaches of the league to lead the coaches committee. Mixed in between indoor seasons, Fuller has spent 5 seasons coaching at the University of Mary, most recently serving as the offensive line coach in 2007.
Fuller's coaching philosophy can be summed up by his two favorite quotes; "We don't care who gets the credit as long as the job gets done" and "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary". Fuller's vision for the Grizzlies is simple, compete for a championship, make a difference in the community, and prepare his athletes for opportunities at the next level. The Grizzly coaching staff will emphasize fundamentals, discipline, and a "Team before self" attitude that will be crucial for success.
Fuller has spent the last two and a half years working with students with special needs in the Bismarck Public School district and with at-risk youth in the Bismarck/Mandan area through Youthworks. Fuller is a competitive drug free power lifter and is ranked among the best in the nation in his divisions. Fuller and his wife reside in Bismarck, ND.
The Grizzlies are set to begin their fourth season in February, 2011. Season tickets are on sale with a dividend special in effect for the remainder of this month. Call 452-5123 for further details.
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Indoor Football League Stories from October 19, 2010
- Fairbanks Grizzlies Announce New Head Coach - Fairbanks Grizzlies
- Wayne State College Standout Joins Beef - Omaha Beef
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