Ingold to Join Desperados as Offensive Coordinator
September 7, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â Just as the case is with players in the arenafootball2 league who are trying to make it to the next level, in many cases, so are coaches. With that in mind, Quad City Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold is doing what nine of his former players have done already â move up to the next level.
It was announced on Monday by the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League that Ingold is joining the Desperados coaching staff as the offensive coordinator for the 2005 season. This will mark the third time that Ingold has been a coordinator in the AFL. The last time came prior to taking the head coaching job with the Steamwheelers in 2002.
"I'm excited about the great opportunity to be a part of the Dallas Desperados/Cowboys organization," Ingold said. "In my eyes it is the premiere franchise in all of Arena Football."
Steamwheelers Managing Owner/Operator and Arena Football Founder Jim Foster couldn't be happier that Ingold's success at the af2 level has landed him another opportunity in the AFL.
"This is a great break for Rich as he will be working for one of the great NFL organizations on a daily basis," Foster said. "They (Desperados) are a mainstream part of the Cowboys operation, using their tremendous facilities and resources. Rich could eventually end up coaching for the Cowboys.
"He has done a solid job for us in his three years here as a coach and as a player personnel director. In particular, the job be did in 2002 when we were not eligible for the playoffs and still went 10-6 was outstanding. We all wish him the best as he moves onto the challenges and excitement of the next levels with the AFL and NFL."
Ingold announced, publicly, shortly after the just completed 2004 Steamwheelers season that he would stay for a fourth season in 2005 as head coach having fielded a number of inquiries from AFL teams. The call from Desperados coach Will McClay, a long time colleague and friend in the arena game, prompted him to ask for permission to interview in Dallas, Texas, last week, which was granted by the Steamwheelers.
The Desperados, who are owned by the Dallas Cowboys and their owner Jerry Jones, finished the 2004 season with a 6-10 record. Ingold will be joining head coach and defensive coordinator Will McClay, who became the Desperados coach prior to the start of the 2004 season. McClay has been with the Desperados since 2002, serving as the defensive coordinator prior to taking over both duties.
"I am looking forward to working with one of the Arena Football League's brightest minds in Will McClay," Ingold said of joining the staff.
Ingold will replace former Desperados assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Steve Thonn, who has moved on to become the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Force of the AFL.
Despite the promotion, Ingold admits leaving the Quad Cities is going to be the hardest part.
"I am going to miss my staff, (associate head coach and line coach) Jon Roehlk, (defensive backs coach) Eddie Langford, (defensive line coach) Larry Bush, (equipment manager) Mike Fox, (head athletic trainer) Craig Wainwright, the fans and the whole Steamwheelers organization," Ingold said. "I am especially going to miss the Foster and Bush families. I will always be a âWheeler."
Ingold took over the Steamwheelers' reigns in 2002 and, despite playoff ineligibility, coached the Steamwheelers to a playoff worthy 10-6 record. In three seasons with the Steamwheelers, Ingold had a 34-16 record, won two National Conference Midwest Division titles and added two playoff appearances.
Ingold's AFL experience dates back to the beginning days of the game that Foster invented. In 1987, Ingold was a First Team All-AFL quarterback for the Washington Commandos. The next season Ingold won an AFL Championship as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Drive.
All of this came while he coached at his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as the quarterbacks and receivers coach for four years starting in 1986. After Ingold finished his playing career in the AFL, he turned to the coaching ranks.
Ingold was then given the opportunity to coach the game that he mastered as a player. In 1990, Ingold was named the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Gladiators. After the 1990 season, Ingold returned to Indiana (Pa.) to retain the position he held from 1986-1989 as well as taking on the duties as the offensive play caller for the seasons spanning 1990-1994.
Ingold then jumped to the NCAA Division I-AA ranks to become the offensive coordinator at Duquesne University from 1999-2001. From there Ingold returned to Arena Football, where he served one season as the defensive coordinator for the New Jersey Gladiators prior to taking over the reigns as the Steamwheelers head coach.
The search for a new coach has already begun, and Foster has a few candidates in mind, but no direct contact has been made with any of the prospects.
"My profile for a new coach focuses on finding another coach with successful AFL experience as a coach and with player personnel," Foster said.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from September 7, 2004
- Ingold to Join Desperados as Offensive Coordinator - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Kane Claunch Heroes For Kids Fund - San Diego Riptide
- Bucks & Law Out & About - Laredo Law
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.
