Steamwheelers Coaching Staff

Cory Ross

Cory Ross: Head Coach

Early years

Ross attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado. While in high school, Ross played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game on December 30, 2000 alongside fellow Nebraska Cornhusker Titus Adams.

College career

Ross played college football at Nebraska, where he earned the nickname "Porkchop" because he was significantly heavy for his small stature, weighing more than fellow I-backs who were all at least 5 inches taller. His 2,743 rushing yards ranked ninth on the teams all-time list. He majored in sociology.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Ross signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 12, 2006. In his rookie season he played in four games. With the injury to B.J. Sams during the 2006 NFL season, Ross became the kick returner for the Baltimore Ravens. He made his NFL debut on December 10 at the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the Ravens' 2007 season finale, Ross rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released prior to the 2008 season.

Sacramento Mountain Lions

After spending the 2008 season out of football, Ross was signed by the California Redwoods of the United Football League on August 18, 2009. For the 2010 season, the Redwoods relocated to Sacramento and were renamed the Sacramento Mountain Lions.^[1]

He was named the 2010 UFL Offensive Season MVP.

Edmonton Eskimos

On May 17, 2012, Ross was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos, but was released during training camp on June 17, 2012.^[2]

Omaha Beef

In early January 2015, Ross joined the Omaha Beef of Champions Indoor Football as the team's new head coach.^[3]

Quad City Steamwheelers

On August 16, 2017, Ross was announced as the inaugural head coach of the revived Quad City Steamwheelers, set to begin play in the CIF for the 2018 season.^[4]

Justin Peters

Justin Peters - Offensive Line Coach

Justin Peters joined the Quad City Steamwheelers football staff in January of 2018 and serves as an assistant coach, overseeing the wide receivers. Coach Peters is also currently the head football coach at Davenport West High School. He is in his 12th year of coaching.

Peters’ football career highlights are playing Varsity at Campbell County HS in Gillette, WY where he was an All-Conference tight end and helped take the team to the State Championship 2 years in a row. He continued his education at Simpson College playing baseball and studying Physical Education. While at Simpson he was able to study the game of football under Head Coach Jim Glogowski. He began his coaching career as a volunteer at Indianola HS coaching O-line and D-line for the freshman team.

After college, he coached as an assistant for 2-time state quarter finalist Grand Junction HS. He continued his football career as a defensive coordinator for Sedgwick County HS (8-Man Football) and Holyoke HS (11-Man Football) before being hired as the head coach at Davenport West HS in 2015.

Fritz Dieudonné

Fritz G. Dieudonné - Defensive Line Coach

Coach Fritz G. Dieudonné is originally from Evanston, Illinois. He attended Evanston Township High School where he excelled in football and track. After graduating, he accepted a football scholarship from St.Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. He moved to the Quad Cities in 1996 to attend St. Ambrose University, where he played four years as a defensive lineman.While at St. Ambrose, he met his wife, Stephanie, and they have been blessed with three little girls, Lauren, Morgan, and Camryn. Coach Fritz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University and is currently employed at St. Ambrose University in the office of Intercultural Life.

After his playing career ended at St.Ambrose, Coach Fritz began his coaching career at Davenport Assumption High School in 2001. Coach Fritz is very passionate about coaching and has just completed his 16th year of coaching high school football; all in the Quad Cities. Coach Fritz is currently serving as a varsity offensive line coach at Rock Island High School.

In December 2017 Coach Fritz was named the defensive line coach for the Quad City Steamwheelers.

Nigel Stephens

Nigel Stephens - Recruiting Coordinator

Nigel Stephens will be joining the Quad City Steamwheelers following a great HC Cory Ross for his 3rd yr. Coach Stephens has plenty of coaching experience with Running backs & recruiting years that he will bring to the table for Quad City!

College

University Northern Colorado for Computer Information systems/Sports Management.

Professional Career

Coach Stephens Indoor career started in '05 in the NIFL (National Indoor Football League) for the Colorado Castle Rock & Colorado Wild Riders.
Before converting to coaching fulltime, Coach Stephens indoor career ranged from AIFA, CIFL, CPIFL & IFL.

Coaching Experience:

INDOOR

2016-17 Omaha Beef CIF Director of player personnel & Running Backs. Northern Conference Champions (2017 Season).
2015- CIF Salina Bombers Director of player personnel & RB.
2011- IFL Arizona Adrenaline RB/LB
2005- NIFL Colorado Castle Rock / Colorado Wild Riders OC, RB & LB.

SEMI PRO

Coach Stephens started coaching in '03 as an assistant running backs coach at 17 yrs old Colorado Football Conference (Colorado Springs Flames) All the way to 2015 for the Desert Chiefs in California.

HIGH SCHOOL