SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – The reborn Spokane Shock announced the hiring of head coach and president of football operations Billy Back, a five-time indoor football champion. Sporting an impressive 106-38 (.736) overall record in 10 seasons as a head coach, Back brings an outstanding history of winning as both a coach and player to the Spokane Shock.

Back comes to the Shock after two seasons in Carolina where he led the expansion Carolina Cobras. The Cobras quickly became the NAL's top team as Back took them to consecutive title game appearances (2018/2019), winning the 2018 league championship.

Prior to Carolina, Back made an instant impact on the Wichita Nighthawks (IFL). Hired after their inaugural season, a 5-9 campaign, he led them to an 11-5 record and playoff berth. The Nighthawks offense lead the league in points per game (62.6), yards per game (298.6) and passing yards per game (226.3) while ranking second in rushing touchdowns and red-zone conversions. Under Back's tutelage, the team produced two-time MVP Charles McCullum, All-IFL players McCullum, WR Jordan Jolly, K Rockne Belmonte, RB Tyler Williams and DL Walter Thomas.

In 2014 and 2015, Back led the Professional Indoor Football League's Nashville Venom, launching them to back-to-back playoff runs and the 2014 PIFL Championship. He also served as head coach of the IFL's Texas Revolution in 2013.

While Back already has an impressive coaching history, his most prolific experience came as head coach/director of football operations with the Cincinnati Commandos from 2010-2012. The franchise won three championships, including a perfect 12-0 season in 2011. During his time in Cincinnati, Back coached two league MVP's, two Offensive Players of the Year, a Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was named 2010 Co-Coach of the Year.



Prior to his coaching career, Back spent six seasons playing in multiple Indoor Football Leagues. In 2006, he was among the leaders in the NIFL in All-Purpose Yards, while being named the League's Player of the Week on three separate occasions.

An Ohio native, Back played college baseball at Miami University of Ohio and was a professional baseball player in the Frontier and Pioneer Leagues. In January 2012, Back was inducted into the Miami University Athletic Hall of Fame.

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