Fairbanks Grizzlies Hire New Head Sean Ponder

Published on November 11, 2008 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Fairbanks Grizzlies News Release


Ricky Bertz, General Manager of the Fairbanks Grizzlies announced the signing of their newest head Coach Sean Ponder. Ponder brings with him a proven record holding offensive powerhouse coaching mentality with a long history of recruiting quality individuals and creating winning team dynamics. Ponder has 13 years of coaching experience, 6 years as a head coach. In addition to his coaching experience, Ponder was also a former college football quarterback at Emporia State where he earned NCAA Div II All American honors to go along with 2 years of professional football playing experience. As a Coach, Ponder has sent 32 players to the AFL, CFL and NFL combined with 6 playoff appearances and 4 division championships.

In addition to Coach Ponder's on the field accomplishments he is also heavily involved in supporting local community programs and charities. Coach Ponder sets the expectation that all players are to be involved in community events for things such as players going to local schools and participating in reading classes for children. In addition he expects players to participate in local organizations such as the Boy's and Girls clubs, Boy Scout's of America, and local youth football organizations just to name a few. Coach Ponder expects the players to acknowledge how privileged they are to be where they are and expects them to help give back to the community that helps and supports the team. Coach Ponder has also been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for over 20 years.

Coach Ponder's team accumulated the following league stats-

#6 of 30 teams in scoring offense - 872 points - 54.4 per game avg(2007)

#11 of 30 teams in passing offense - 4107 offensive passing yards (2007)

#3 of 30 teams in turnover margin - +22 ratio (2007)

#4 of 30 teams in passing efficiency- 116.4 passer rating (2007)

#2 of 30 teams in total offensive first downs - 333 (2007)

#3 of 30 fewest penalties allowed - 133 (2007)

#8 of 30 Red Zone Offense - scoring 70-85 times for 82.4% efficency (2007)

#6 of 30 3rd down conversion efficencey - 45.7% (2007)

#1of 23 teams in passing offense - 4775 offensive passing yards (2006- all time af2 record)

#2 of 23 teams in total offensive touchdowns - 126 (2006)

#5 of 23 teams in total offensive plays - 742 (2006)

#1 of 23 teams in total offensive yards - 5043 total yards - 315.2 yards per game (2006-all time af2 record)

#4 of 23 teams in offensive yards per play average - 6.8 (2006)

Coach Ponder's family will be supporting and encouraging him during his 1st season with the Fairbanks Grizzlies. Sean and his fiancé Joi live in the Quad Cities in Illinois, along with their 5 children - Shelby, Alec, Nick, Hannah and Irelyn. Once the regular season schedule is announced on November 15th, Sean and Joi plan on making arrangements for their family to attend a couple of home games at the Carlson Center.

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Indoor Football League Stories from November 11, 2008


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