Riptide Hire Sean Ponder as Head Coach
Published on November 10, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
SAN DIEGO â Ed White announced the hiring of Sean Ponder as Head Coach of the âTide this morning, his first official act as President. As a head coach working side-by-side two pro-bowl linemen, Ponder doesn't have to look too far for coaching advice.
"After talking with the ownership group and Ed White, I knew this was a first class operation that is headed in the right direction," said Ponder. "It's great to have an owner and GM who are Football guys that know what it takes to win. I think more than anything our players will benefit not only from our contacts in the NFL and AFL, but from our past and present experiences."
Ponder held the head coaching position with the Wichita Stealth of the arenafootball2 league for two years. In his first season with the Stealth, he led the team into the playoffs before losing to the Hawaiian Islanders. Last year, the team started the season on a five-game win streak, nearly making the playoffs for the second time in af2's closest post-season race to date. His offense averaged nearly seven touchdowns per game and has won more road games than any other head coach in Stealth history. Ponder is a self-described "player's coach."
"Respect and trust are the most important aspects in coaching. Without that you just have 19 guys running around playing as individuals. I am a very organized coach. Every one of the Riptide players will understand what we want to do week-in and week-out and how we want to attack each game."
As offensive coordinator for Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Ponder helped to turn around a team that had only won two games in three seasons into a successful junior college program. He orchestrated his offense so well that they produced 21 school records, a Mission Conference Championship, and a Strawberry Bowl birth.
Ponder has also made many strides in player development. Along with records and championships at Orange Coast College, he coached numerous first-team all-league players, as well as seven Junior College All-Americans. His offensive scheme produced both 2003 AFL Offensive Player of the Year, Chris Jackson, and 2001 af2 Rookie of the Year, Matt Sauk. In all, his system has sent ten players to the AFL and two to the NFL.
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