Coaches

Kurtiss Riggs

Head Coach

Riggs was named 2007 UIF Coach of the Year after leading the Storm to a 18-0 record and their third-straight United Bowl Championship. Riggs was named the NIFL Coach of the Year in 2004 for his efforts on the field. He led the Storm to a 13-4 overall record, the team's first-ever conference championship, and a berth in the league championship game. He was also named UIF Coach of the Year in 2006 after leading the Storm to a 17-0 record and the UIF championship. Riggs is entering in his sixth season as the Head Coach for the Storm. He has compiled a career record of 69-17 and a playoff appearance in each of the previous five seasons.

Riggs began his coaching duties with the Storm in 2002 as the offensive coordinator. Kurtiss spent the 2001 season as a quarterback for the Storm and the 2000 season for the Cobras of the IFL. Riggs is a 1997 graduate of the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, where he earned All-American honors after leading the Cougars to the NAIA National Championship in 1996, while setting many passing records along the way. Kurtiss is a teacher at Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School. He and his wife, Leisa, reside in Sioux Falls with their two children, Peyton and Afton.

Mike Aldrich

Defensive Coordinator

Mike Aldrich returns for another season to the Storm as Defensive Coordinator in 2008. Mike took over the position midway through the 2005 campaign after Brian Hermanson took the head coaching job at Washington High School. Aldrich was head coach for the Sioux Falls Cobras of the former IFL in 2000 and the Storm's head coach in 2001 and 2002 before taking a job as Defensive Graduate Assistant at the University of Louisville. In his tenure as head coach, the Storm went 18-15 and made an appearance in the Conference Championship Game in 2001. In 2007, his defense ranked #1 in scoring defense, rush yards allowed, and total defense. The defense also set a UIF record with a +21 turnover margin. In 2006, Mike's defense ranked #1 in points allowed and #2 in yards allowed in the UIF. Currently, Mike is also the Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach at Augustana College.

Don Hilsenroth

Linebackers/Special Teams Coach

Donny will be entering his fifth season as special teams coach for the Storm in 2008. Over the last four seasons, the Storm's special teams unit has only allowed five kick returns for a touchdown. Donny had an unbelievable career as a player for the Storm from 2000-2003. Donny retired to become a Sioux Falls firefighter. During his tenure with the Storm Donny was named Defensive MVP and was the recipient of numerous league honors. Donny is the Storm's third-leading tackler of all-time and had his jersey (#46) retired during the 2005 season. Donny resides in Sioux Falls with his wife Kendra and his daughter Daesha.

Rich Wirkus

Assistant Coach

Coach Wirkus will enter his sixth season with the Storm coaching staff in 2008. The former Storm offensive lineman assists with both the defensive and offensive lines. Wirkus played collegiately at Dakota Weslyean Unviversity in Mitchell, SD.

Steve Olinger

Defensive Line Coach

Steve returns to the Storm coaching staff for his third season as the defensive line coach. Currently, Olinger is also the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Augustana College. He has been apart of the Augustana coaching staff since 2002.

Mike Michaeli

Assistant Coach

Michaeli returns to the Storm again in 2008 as Equipment Manager. This will mark Michaeli's ninth season with the organization. Michaeli is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, where he played football for the Cougars in the early '90's.

Bob Litz

Assistant Coach

Bob Litz spent two years with the Sioux City Bandits and has also coached at the University of Sioux Falls prior to joining the Storm. Bob's primary work is with conditioning and training for the Storm. The quality of the athletes and the organization as a whole is what brought Bob to the Storm. Bob lives in Sioux Falls with his wife Sharon and their four kids: Amber, Amelia, Anna, and Alan.

John Semchenko

Offensive Line

John Semchenko will be entering his second season on the Storm coaching staff. Semchenko played six seasons with the Storm from 2001-2006. Semchenko will go down as one of the best players to ever suit up for the Storm. Semchenko was an All-NIFL selection in 2004 as well an All-UIF First Team selection in 2006. Semchenko was also named the 2006 UIF Co-Man of the Year. The Man of the Year was given to the UIF player who best exemplified strong character and attitude along with a strong sense of community pride and involvement.

Dr. Wayne Huber

Team Chiropractor

Dr. Wayne Huber was the team Chiropractor during the 2001 through 2003 Storm season and was happy to re-join the team for their Championship run in 2006. Dr. Huber is involved in a Sports injury and family practice clinic in Tea and also "Active Spine and Rehabilitation" in Sioux Falls. Dr. Huber is the Team Chiropractor for several teams in the region including the USF Cougar football team. Dr. Wayne resides in Sioux Falls with his wife Mary.

Ryan Brink

Head Athletic Trainer

Ryan is beginning his sixth season as Head Athletic Trainer for the Storm. Brink is a graduate of South Dakota State University and received his masters from the University of Northern Colorado. Brink continues his work with the Orthopedic Institute on the Avera McKennan hospital campus. Ryan and his wife, Tiffany, reside in Sioux Falls with two children.

Kyle Wiebesiek

Athletic Trainer

2008 will mark Kyle's fifth year on the Storm staff. Kyle has been an employee at the orthopedic institute 2 years. Kyle is married to his wonderful wife Stacey.

Norm Stone

Athletic Trainer

Norm was the Storm head trainer in 2001 and 2002 and also head trainer in 2000 for the Sioux Falls Cobras. Norm rejoined the Storm's athletic training staff in 2005 after spending two years in active duty with the military. He is an employee of the Orthopedic Institute for the past ten years. He and his wife Juli have four daughters.