Omaha Beef
 | |
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| League |
IPFL (2000–2001) NIFL (2002–2004) UIF (2005–2008) IFL (2009–2012) CPIFL (2013–2014) CIF (2015–present) |
| Division |
Pacific Northern (2002–2004) Western (2006–2008) Central (2009) Central West (2010) Great Plains (2011) Northern (2016) Northwest (2017–present) |
| Based in | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Arena |
Omaha Civic Auditorium (1999–2012) Ralston Arena (2013–present) |
| Colors |
Orange, Black, White |
| Owner(s) |
Rich Tokheim Jim Tokheim |
| Head coach | Cory Ross |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 2: (IPFL: 2001 NIFL: 2003) |
| Playoff berths | 13: (IPFL: 2000, 2001 NIFL: 2002, 2003, 2004, UIF: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 IFL: 2009, 2010, 2011 CPIFL: 2013) |
| Dancers | Prime |
| Mascot | Sir Loin |
The Omaha Beef are an indoor football team which is a charter member of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF). Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the Beef play their home games at the Ralston Arena in nearby Ralston.
History
Omaha originally played in the Indoor Professional Football League in 2000 and 2001 as an expansion team before moving to the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) in 2002. The Beef then joined the newly formed United Indoor Football (UIF) in 2005 as a charter member. In 2008, the UIF merged with the Intense Football League to create the Indoor Football League.
Omaha has had some very heated battles in their time together with the Sioux City Bandits (since the NIFL days) and also Sioux Falls who also went from the NIFL to the IFL. The three cities have shown that they value the I-29 rivalries that exist in that they have followed one another through multiple leagues to stay in competition. A new rivalry developed when the IFL expanded to Grand Island, Nebraska in 2011 and the Nebraska Danger was formed. That was the I-80 rivalry and both teams played intense games during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. However, Sioux Falls and Nebraska stayed in the IFL (Indoor Football League) when the Beef moved to the CPIFL before the 2013 season.
The Omaha Beef worked in the past in partnership with Omaha's ESPN Radio, 1620 AM, along with their sister station KKAR 1290. For two years, the majority of play-by-play commentary was conducted by Nick Handley, with color mixed in from Unsportsmanlike Conduct's Mike'l Severe. Late in the 2007 season, aspiring broadcaster Matt SantaMaria helped shoulder the load over a six-week run that including Omaha's 43–40 win at Colorado and their eventual playoff loss at Billings, 62–27. Matt SantaMaria won best radio play-by-play award in the UIF for 2008. Over the last few years, the Beef have not been broadcast on any local radio stations.
Starting in 2008, the Omaha Beef away games could be watched at Indigo Joe's Sports Pub and Restaurant, formerly located at 7425 Dodge Street in Omaha. The games were broadcast via the Internet by B2 Networks and b.IT Consulting and displayed on monitors around the restaurant. For 2012 the viewing parties were at Goldeez's Sports bar and Lounge through America One.
In 2009–2011 the organization went through several general manager and head coaching changes. Despite those changes, the team finished in the top tier of the league. In 2009, James Kerwin was head coach of the Beef and led the team to a 12-2 record and to the second round of the IFL playoffs. The Beef continued their consecutive playoff qualification streak, which ended after 14 years across five leagues when the Beef failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2014.
The organization entered their thirteenth year of existence and fourth year as a member of the IFL in 2012. Despite constant changes within the league of expansion and contraction, the Beef were a constant and competitive member. 2012 saw the addition of new GM Josh Roehr from the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL) and the hiring of Bruce Cowdrey as head coach. Neither lasted a full season. As the rest of the 2012 season unfolded, the ownership of the team was then taken over by the IFL due to the actual owner not paying the fees associated with being a member. The head coach was let go, the GM left for new employment, and several other changes to cut costs. Despite this, Andy Yost and James Kerwin took over as co-head coaches and the Beef qualified for the playoffs with some key wins they were not going to be in the playoffs. This resulted in the ending of a 12-year playoff appearance streak. The Prime Dancers and Sir Loin (mascot) won league awards.
The Omaha Beef were not included on the 2013 IFL schedule released on October 22, 2012. Their position in the United Conference was taken by the Texas Revolution being realigned from the Intense Conference.[1] This was due to negotiations with the possible sale of the team or a new replacement team taking over the Beef's position. There were discussions that the team might change leagues and move into the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL). As of December 2012 the Omaha Beef was accepted by the CPIFL to begin play in March 2013.
In December 2012, the Omaha Beef were bought by Cornhusker Beef, Inc. On December 6, 2012, the Beef announced the new ownership group composing of Rich Tokhiem, Gerard Daly and Jim Tokhiem. As of early 2013, the new ownership group made up of brothers Rich Tokheim and Jim Tokheim began administering the day-to-day operations of the Omaha Beef franchise, which was entering its 14th season of competition.[2]
In their first season in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL), the Beef hired Andy Yost as head coach, who had finished the previous season as interim co-head coach. Yost led the Beef to a 10-2 record and qualified for the playoffs as they finished second, in a three way tie (Sioux City(1), Wichita(3)) in the league. Despite a valiant effort the Beef fell to Wichita in the 1st round 31-25 continuing the streak of no championships.
After leading the team to the playoffs in 2013, Yost moved from head coach to quarterback coach for the 2014 season. The Beef hired Steve Heimann as head coach. Heimann coached the Beef to a win in their 2014 exhibition game and the resigned before coaching a regular season game. The Beef promoted defensive coordinator Dan Thurin to head coach. The Beef finished with a record of 4-8, which was an all-time franchise worst at that time.
On January 7, 2015, the Beef announced that former Cornhusker and NFL veteran Cory Ross would be the head coach for the 2015 season.[3] Ross previously coached the Lincoln Haymakers of the CPIFL, who were also owned by Beef owner Rich Tokhiem, who ceased operations after the 2014 season.
In 2015 season, the Beef started playing in Champions Indoor Football (CIF), the merger product of the CPIFL and Lone Star Football League (LSFL).
Omaha opened 2015 with their worst start in franchise history by beginning 0-5. On April 1, defensive coordinator Demetrius Ross opined that the Beef's poor start was in part due to preparations beginning in January instead of October and that the coaches did not get to select the players that they wanted. "We started late – we're used to starting in October and we started in January – we didn't get the opportunity to go out and handpick our roster with a philosophy, so that's been our biggest challenge as coaches this year. Figuring out a way to maximize the talent we have and put them in the best situation possible."[4]
The Omaha Beef finished the 2015 season with a record of 1-11, their worst record in franchise history. The Beef also finished in ninth place in the nine-team CIF, marking the first time the Beef ever finished last in a league. In their 11 losses, the Beef lost by an average of 25.0 points per game. The Beef also finished last in the league in points given up 672 (56.0/game) and last in the league points scored 395 (32.9/game). The Beef also had a league-worst turnover differential of –16.
In 2016, the Omaha Beef took advantage of their schedule to improve their record to 7-5. Omaha played six of their 12 games against first year franchises (Chicago Eagles & Salina Liberty) in which the Beef recorded five of their seven wins. Omaha only had one win over a team with a winning record when they played them (Wichita Force 4-1 on April 16). Omaha only played three games all season long against teams that came into the contest with a winning record. In the Beef’s seven wins, the opponent’s combined 2016 records were 29-54. Despite playoff expansion for the CIF in 2016, where half of all teams in the league now qualify for the playoffs, the Omaha Beef failed to make the playoffs for the third year in a row, the longest playoff drought in franchise history. The Beef have only made the playoffs once under their current ownership (2013 CPIFL).The Omaha Beef’s current ownership has posted a 22-28 (.440) record since taking over the team before the 2013 season. The Beef have only won 12 of their last 38 games.
Non-player personnel
The Beef organization have the only all-male dance team in indoor football, the Rumproasters, along with an all-female dance team, the Prime dancers. The Rumproasters, men of all different sizes, have been with the team since its inception. The Rumproasters perform a variety of routines, ranging from Grease all the way to hip hop, as well as making appearances and participate in charitable events on behalf of the team.
The Prime dancers have won several awards including the best dance team three times in the UIF and 2009 dance team of the year in the IFL. They are ambassadors for the Beef organization as well and perform in conjunction with the Rumproasters, including a routine for the last regular-season home game which can include ballroom dancing. The Prime were named Dance team of the Year once again for 2012.
The mascot for the Beef is an Angus bull named Sir Loin. He won mascot of the year three times in UIF and was named 2009 mascot of the year in the IFL and is a fan favorite. He was named Mascot of the Year for 2011 and again in 2012.
Season-by-season
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Beef (IPFL) | |||||
| 2000 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3rd League | Won Semifinal (Mississippi) |
| 2001 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1st League | Lost IPFL Championship (Tennessee ThunderCats) |
| Omaha Beef (NIFL) | |||||
| 2002 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2nd Pacific Northern | Lost Round 1 (Bismarck) |
| 2003 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1st Pacific Northern | Won Round 1 (Bismarck) Lost Semifinal (Utah) |
| 2004 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2nd Pacific Northern | Won PC Round 1 (Sioux City) Lost PC Semifinal (Billings) |
| Omaha Beef (UIF) | |||||
| 2005 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 2nd North | Lost Round 1 (Sioux Falls) |
| 2006 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 2nd West | Lost Round 1 (Evansville) |
| 2007 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 3rd West | Lost Round 1 (Billings) |
| 2008 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3rd West | Lost Round 1 (Billings) |
| Omaha Beef (IFL) | |||||
| 2009 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1st United Central | Lost Divisionals II (Wichita) |
| 2010 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 3rd Central West | Lost Round 1 (Sioux Falls) |
| 2011 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2nd Great Plains | Won Round 1 (Bloomington) Lost Conference Semi-Final (Sioux Falls) |
| 2012 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 5th United | Made playoffs but due to financial reasons league left them out |
| Omaha Beef (CPIFL) | |||||
| 2013 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2nd League | Lost Round 1 (Wichita) |
| 2014 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8th League | -- |
| Omaha Beef (CIF) | |||||
| 2015 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 9th League | -- |
| 2016 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 4th Northern | -- |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Northwest | -- |
| Totals | 146 | 102 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
Notable players
Current roster
| Omaha Beef roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
|
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Kickers
|
Injured Reserve
Transfer List
Refuse to Report
Rookies in italics | |||
Awards and honors
The following is a list of all Beef players who have won league Awards
| Season | Player | Position | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Ben Sankey | Quarterback | Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2012 | Peter Buck | Linebacker | Defensive Rookie of the Year |
Past seasons
2000 Omaha Beef IPFL schedule
Week 1 – Omaha Beef 26, Idaho Stallions 12
Week 2 – Shreveport-Bossier Bombers 44, Omaha Beef 39
Week 3 – Portland Prowlers 43, Omaha Beef 23
Week 4 – Omaha Beef 38, Idaho Stallions 33
Week 5 – bye
Week 6 – Omaha Beef 39, Mobile Seagulls 36
Week 7 – Louisiana Rangers 40, Omaha Beef 33
Week 8 – Omaha Beef 28, Shreveport-Bossier Bombers 6
Week 9 – bye
Week 10 – Portland Prowlers 34, Omaha Beef 30
Week 11 – Portland Prowlers 67, Omaha Beef 54
Week 12 – bye
Week 13 – Mississippi Fire Dogs 49, Omaha Beef 46
Week 14 – Omaha Beef 54, Idaho Stallions 47
Week 15 – Omaha Beef 59, Idaho Stallions 39
Week 16 – Omaha Beef 57, Mobile Seagulls 44
Week 17 – Louisiana Rangers 35, Omaha Beef 27
Week 18 – Portland Prowlers 40, Omaha Beef 26
Week 19 – Omaha Beef 44, Mississippi Fire Dogs 38
Semifinals – Mississippi Fire Dogs 43, Omaha Beef 40
2001 Omaha Beef IPFL schedule
Week 1 – St. Louis Renegades 44, at Omaha Beef 61
Week 2 – bye
Week 3 – Omaha Beef 51, at Trenton Lightning 41
Week 4 – Boise Stallions 27, at Omaha Beef 56
Week 5 – Omaha Beef 55, at St. Louis Renegades 47
Week 6 – bye
Week 7 – Omaha Beef 57, at Boise Stallions 34
Week 8 – Tennessee ThunderCats 50, at Omaha Beef 72
Week 9 – Omaha Beef 49, at Boise Stallions 45
Week 10 – Tennessee ThunderCats 29, at Omaha Beef 56
Week 11 – Omaha Beef 54, at Tennessee ThunderCats 32
Week 12 – St. Louis Renegades 42, at Omaha Beef 53
Week 13 – Omaha Beef 34, at Tennessee ThunderCats 61
Week 14 – Omaha Beef 35, at Boise Stallions 9
Week 15 – Boise Stallions 19, at Omaha Beef 58
Week 16 – Omaha Beef 76, at St. Louis Renegades 37
Week 17 – bye
Week 18 – Omaha Beef 50, at St. Louis Renegades 33
Week 19 – Boise Stallions 18, at Omaha Beef 79
IPFL Championship – Tennessee ThunderCats 47, Omaha Beef 38
2010
2011
2012
2013
Season schedule
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Score | Team Record | ||||
| 1 | Bye | ||||
| 2 | March 17 (Sun) | 2:00pm | @Kansas City Renegades | W 38-27 | 1-0 |
| 3 | Bye | ||||
| 4 | March 29 (Fri) | 7:30pm | Kansas Koyotes | W 54-27 | 2-0 |
| 5 | April 7 (Sun) | 7:30pm | Sioux City Bandits | W 32-26 | 3-0 |
| 6 | April 13 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Lincoln Haymakers | W 55-49 | 4-0 |
| 7 | April 20 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Wichita Wild | L 17-29 | 4-1 |
| 8 | April 27 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Sioux City Bandits | W 38-24 | 5-1 |
| 9 | May 5 (Sun) | 7:30pm | Mid-Missouri Outlaws | W 68-13 | 6-1 |
| 10 | May 11 (Sat) | 7:30pm | Lincoln Haymakers | W 27-23 | 7-1 |
| 11 | May 17 (Fri) | 7:05pm | @Bloomington Edge | W 51-33 | 8-1 |
| 12 | May 24 (Sat) | 4:30pm | Oklahoma Defenders | W 59-21 | 9-1 |
| 13 | June 1 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Lincoln Haymakers | W 34-24 | 10-1 |
| 14 | June 7 (Fri) | 7:30pm | Kansas City Renegades | L 27-42 | 10-2 |
| Playoffs | |||||
| 1 | June 14 (Fri) | 7:00pm | Wichita Wild | L 25–31 | 10-3 |
2014
Season Schedule
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Score | Team Record | ||||
| 1 | March 2 (Sun) | 3:00pm | Dodge City Law | L 35–61 | 0-1 |
| 2 | March 9 (Sun) | 3:00pm | Kansas Koyotes | W 55–27 [5] | 1–1 |
| 3 | Bye | ||||
| 4 | March 22 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Lincoln Haymakers | L 20–59 | 1–2 |
| 5 | March 29 (Sun) | 7:05pm | @Bloomington Edge | W 70–69 | 2–2 |
| 6 | April 5 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Kansas Koyotes | W 52–30 [6] | 3–2 |
| 7 | April 11 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Sioux City Bandits | L 55–61 | 3–3 |
| 8 | April 19 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Wichita Wild | L 33–66 | 3–4 |
| 9 | Bye | ||||
| 10 | May 3 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Dodge City Law | L 20–60 [7] | 3–5 |
| 11 | May 10 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Sioux City Bandits | L 47-61 | 3-6 |
| 12 | May 16 (Fri) | 7:05pm | @Lincoln Haymakers | L 56-67 | 3-7 |
| 13 | May 24 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Bloomington Edge | W 80-69 | 4-7 |
| 14 | May 31 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Salina Bombers | L 43-50 | 4-8 |
| 15 | Bye | ||||
2015
2016
2017
Season Schedule
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Score | Team Record | ||||
| 1 | Bye | ||||
| 2 | March 10 (Fri) | 7:05pm | Bismark | ||
| 3 | March 18 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Bloomington Edge | ||
| 4 | March 25 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Sioux City Bandits | ||
| 5 | March 31 (Fri) | 7:05pm | Chicago Eagles | ||
| 6 | Bye | ||||
| 7 | April 15 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Bloomington Edge | ||
| 8 | April 22 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Bismark | ||
| 9 | April 29 (Sat) | 7:05pm | @Kansas City Phantoms | ||
| 10 | May 6 (Sat) | 7:05pm | River City Raiders | ||
| 11 | May 13 (Sat) | 6:35pm | @Dodge City Law | ||
| 12 | May 20 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Kansas City Phantoms | ||
| 13 | May 27 (Sat) | 7:05pm | Sioux City Bandits | ||
| 14 | June 2 (Fri) | 7:05pm | @Kansas City Phantoms | ||
References
- ↑ "2013 IFL Schedule Announced". Indoor Football League. October 22, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Omaha Beef Set To Announce New Ownership Group". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 4, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Beef name former Husker Ross new head coach". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. January 7, 2015. p. 6C. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.beeffootball.com/know-your-beef-defensive-coordinator-demetrius-ross/
- ↑ Peterson, Jr., Rick (March 22, 2014). "Koyotes set for home opener against Salina". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
- ↑ Peterson, Jr., Rick (April 6, 2014). "Koyotes drop to 0-4 with loss to Omaha Beef". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
- ↑ "Law shreds Beef again". Dodge City Daily Globe. May 3, 2014. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
External links
Sports teams based in Nebraska | ||
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| College athletics (NCAA Division I) | ||
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