CHICAGO, Ill. (December 29, 2025) – Chicago State University announced today that veteran coach
Bobby Blizzard has been named the program's
first-ever Offensive Coordinator, marking a historic milestone for Cougar football.
A Hampton, Va. native, Blizzard brings a wealth of experience across collegiate and professional ranks. Most recently, he returned to Hampton University in February 2023 as an assistant coach after a season at Norfolk State. He previously served on Hampton's staff in 2018.
As co-offensive coordinator at Hampton, Blizzard guided the Pirates to the
second-ranked offense in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and the 16th-best offense in the FCS. Under his leadership, Hampton amassed 2,350 rushing yards (195.8 per game) and averaged 29.6 points per contest, an improvement of more than six points per game in 2024.
Blizzard began his coaching career at Division III McMurry under offensive innovator Hal Mumme, one of the founders of the air raid offense. He later followed Mumme to Belhaven University, serving four years as offensive coordinator and play caller, where nine of his players earned All-America honors and the program ranked among the nation's top three in passing in multiple seasons.
His resume also includes professional coaching stops. Blizzard was offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football under Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, where three of his players signed NFL contracts. He later joined the XFL's Dallas Renegades under Bob Stoops, serving as running backs coach before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator and play caller.
Blizzard's collegiate coaching journey also includes roles at Norfolk State and Hampton, where he developed standout receivers and running backs.
As a player, Blizzard was a standout tight end at Kentucky and North Carolina, finishing his college career with 78 receptions for 876 yards and six touchdowns. He went on to spend parts of four seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals, as well as stints in NFL Europe with the Hamburg Sea Devils and Cologne Centurions. He was named to the NFL Europe All-Star teams in 2005 and 2007.
Blizzard is a member of the NFL Players Association and the American Football Coaches Association. He attended the prestigious NCAA/NFL Coaches Academy in 2017 and earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from North Carolina.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bobby Blizzard as Chicago State's first Offensive Coordinator," said head football coach
Bobby Rome II. "His proven track record of developing high-powered offenses and mentoring players at every level will be invaluable as we continue to build Cougar football."
