The first coaching change came in March when reigning CPIFL Coach of the Year Bob Frey left the team for another coaching opportunity at Lindenwood University in Belleville, Illinois. Frey was shuffled out of Kansas Wesleyan when a coaching staff change occurred for the Coyotes.
The next logical step for the team was to promote defensive coordinator Eric Clayton. Clayton, a Salina native and city fireman, had been involved with the team since the franchise’s very first day. Clayton was the architect of a league leading defense that helped the Bombers to the Inaugural CPIFL Champions Bowl and a second place finish in 2013.
As head coach, Clayton guided the Bombers to a 4-3 record but those seven games came with plenty of challenges. Clayton’s first game as Head Coach came on March 23rd in Topeka. A game which the Bombers won, 51-27, but lost quarterback Dane Simoneau to injury in the first quarter. Isiah Barfield would engineer the offense as the emergency quarterback. Including the victory versus the Koyotes, Simoneau would miss 5 games.
The Bombers would then travel to Dodge City with new signal caller Damien Dunning. On the road, they would experience the first loss of the season, a 34-31 contest that Dodge City won with a field goal as time expired. For one reason or another, Salina was missing 7 starters for that game in Dodge City.
Most of those starter would all be back for the return meeting two weeks later in Salina. Chris Rini would play quarterback for the Bombers and despite being injured in the first quarter, Rini would lead the Bombers to a 57-45 victory. Dodge City currently has a playoff spot clinched with a 7-3 record.
Next on the schedule would be Sioux City and another Bomber quarterback. Robbie Nallenwegg stepped behind center for Salina and threw for 5 touchdowns. But is was special teams that would be the demise of the Bombers as Sioux City won, 56-42. Sioux City is currently in first place at 8-2.
To open May, the Bombers would host Wichita in a long awaited game. Both teams would play without their “usual” starting quarterback with Simoneau out and Rocky Hinds missing for a CFL try-out. In a defensive battle, the Bombers would defeat the Wild for the first time in franchise history, 13-11. Wichita is currently second with a 7-2 record.
Simoneau would return the next week for a road game in Bloomington. The Bombers quarterback threw for 5 touchdowns and helped the offense put 50 points on the scoreboard. However, the Bomber defense would not be able to stop the Edge offense which statistically rated as the best in the CPIFL. After trailing by 21 points, the Bombers would come up short 50-58.
A couple of small changes were welcome to the defense last week when Salina went on the road once again to face the Oklahoma Defenders. The Bomber defense would grab 3 interceptions as Simoneau and the offense tallied 4 touchdowns in the air and ran for 3 more on the ground. Bombers were victorious 60-40 in Tulsa.
Coming out of Tulsa with a 6-3 record, Bombers owner Chris Vercher felt there was something missing on the sidelines. Vercher planned on bringing in Bob Ray, at some capacity, to assist in coaching duties the rest of the season. Ray is currently the defensive coordinator at Wichita South High School and also spent six seasons as an assistant at Missouri Southern University (2001-06) and one season as an assistant at McPherson College (2007).
Bob Ray and Vercher have a history in football. Ray coached Vercher’s Junction City Force team from 2009 to 2012 where he won two CPFL Championships.
Bob Ray attended a Bombers practice for the first time on Tuesday and left as the Salina Head Coach. Eric Clayton left the practice early after resigning from his position. The story of what happened in that practice session remains confidential and a “team matter”. Clayton stated on Wednesday he was offered a chance to remain on the staff, but declined. He said he attended a meeting with Chris Vercher on Monday, but there as no mention of a coaching change.
“I would like to thank Eric Clayton for the job he has done and all the hard work Eric has contributed” states Bomber CEO Chris Vercher. “Bob Ray is here to use the talent that we have in place and to build on what we already have and to take the Bombers to the next level.”
Regarding his resignation, Eric Clayton stated at this time, “I was told that upper management made a unanimous decision to make Bob Ray the Head Coach. I wish the best for the players.”
The Salina Bombers (6-3) will host the Lincoln Haymakers (5-5) on Friday at the Salina Bicentennial Center. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:05 and can be heard on 99KG and Salina Post.