Rod Windsor begins his tenure with the Bay Area Panthers in 2025 as the team's new Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, bringing one of the sport’s premiere names to San Jose.
Windsor spent the prior three campaigns as the Northern Arizona Wranglers offensive coordinator, working alongside current fellow-Panthers (Head Coach) Rob Keefe and Les Moss in Prescott Valley. Last year, Northern Arizona’s offense finished second in the league in passing yardage (193.5 YPG) while totaling 48.4 PPG. The trio also earned an IFL title in 2022.
A legend of the game, Windsor has won four total indoor football championship rings: three as a player (2013, 2014, and 2018) and one as a coach (2022).
He began his record-breaking playing career in 2010, catching a league-record 197 passes for 2,372 yards and 47 touchdowns for the Arizona Rattlers, winning Rookie of the Year. In all, Windsor finished his professional career with 898 catches for over 11,000 receiving yards and 263 touchdowns.
Originally a JUCO product, Windsor dazzled at Garden City Community College before transferring to Western New Mexico University to play quarterback.
As a junior in 2006, the 6-foot-2 Windsor paced the Mustangs in both passing (1,361) and rushing (886) yards. In 2007, he permanently switched his position to wideout, logging 1,118 receiving yards and six scores his senior campaign in Silver City, NM.
Windsor’s prevalent football talent was displayed from an early age. He was an incredible dual-threat quarterback at Jess Lanier High School (now named Bessemer City High School) in Bessemer, AL. Since then, his mastery over multiple aspects of an offensive unit have been well documented in the Indoor Football League and beyond.
Windsor also brings NFL experience to Bay Area, spending time on the practice squads of the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills throughout 2011 & 2012. For Cleveland, he managed to haul in a preseason touchdown in 2012.
The three-time first-team All-Arena receiver is proud to join as Bay Area’s offensive coordinator in 2025. Upon being hired last September, Windsor told play-by-play voice Dave Lewis, “One of the biggest reasons to make the move was to not have to play against [Panthers HC] Keefe.
"He's probably the best defensive coach in the league, and it's much better to be on his side than to try and score against him,” Windsor continued. Naturally, Coach Keefe is equally as excited to have Windsor in San Jose.
“We are thrilled to add Coach [Windsor] to the Panthers. He is a brilliant offensive mind and continues to be an innovator in the indoor football game," asserted Bay Area HC Keefe, who also serves as the team’s President of Football Operations.
As Panthers OC, Windsor will reunite with quarterback Josh Jones. A dual-threat signal caller in his own right, Jones and Windsor have previously showcased a harmonious on-field relationship with Northern Arizona, as the UNC Pembroke-product was named 2024 IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in Windsor’s system—expect that productivity to continue for Bay Area in 2025.
