| Odessa Roughnecks |
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The team began operations in 2004 as a member of the Intense Football League (IFL). In 2005 , the IFL folded; its four remaining teams joined the NIFL . For the 2006 season, the IFL was resurrected, and the Odessa Roughnecks returned to their original league. The team plays its home games at Ector County Coliseum in Odessa. The team's owner is Tommy Benizio and its head coach is Mike Esposito (former head coach of the Erie Freeze ). The 2006 season is Coach Esposito's first season with the Roughnecks. He replaced the franchise's first coach, Chris Williams, in late 2005. History of the Team (from the teams website http://www.roughnecksifl.com) In 2003, the nearly 20 year old Arena Football League that had been only in major markets like New York and Chicago, was now spreading across the nation in small to middle sized cities. Jerry Jones of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys kicked off his AFL franchise in Dallas and secured the rights to every smaller market in the state of Texas with a suitable arena for indoor football. When Jones couldn’t be reached to discuss selling these rights, a new league was formed throughout the state. In August of 2003, Chad Dittman, President of the fledgling Intense Football League announced that Odessa would be one of the sites for his new professional indoor football league. Through prayer shortly after, Abby and Tommy Benizio decided to purchased the franchise and moved to the Permian Basin along with their pet prairie dogs. By the close of 2003, the franchise creatively announced the name of “Roughnecks” along with the unveiling of a logo fit for the community and a mascot whom has become a staple in both Odessa and Midland known as Digger. The team kicked off on May 8th, 2004 under the direction of head coach Chris Williams who lead the team to a 9-7 record and home field advantage in the playoffs. Lubbock defeated Odessa in overtime just one game shy of the championship but the season did not end without the success of leading the IFL in attendance and having promoted more players to the next level than any other team in the league. This success became well known throughout the national football community, and along with the hard work of the teams coaches, Odessa enjoyed a very rare undefeated regular season in the National Indoor Football League in 2005. Despite losing one game shy of the championship again, the Roughnecks were once more atop of their league in attendance, successfully hosted the first ever NIFL All-Star Game, and could boast a 16-1 overall record. With the opportunity to freshen things up, the Roughnecks assisted in the reformation of the IFL and have a new and very impressive head coach in Mike Esposito. With a history of great success in the franchise and a great spirit of enthusiasm in the offices and locker room, 2006 looks to be the team’s best season yet. |
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