Chad Salisbury

High school and college careers

Salisbury attended Frazier High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. While there, he was a two-time All-State selection in football and basketball. After high school, he went to play football for both New Mexico State and Buffalo.

While at New Mexico State, he passed for 2,291 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. He finished his career in Buffalo's top five in completions (372), attempts (671), yards (4,947) and touchdowns (31). He earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Football Gazette after the 1997 season.

Professional career

In his Arena Football League career, Salisbury played for five teams, but spent time with six total. He first joined the AFL with the New England Sea Wolves and moved with the team to Toronto when they became the Phantoms. He then played two seasons with the Chicago Rush. He played one season with the Columbus Destroyers, and was on the Georgia Force's practice squad before he finished his career by playing two seasons with the Grand Rapids Rampage.

In 2000, as a rookie, Salisbury completed 65.0% of his passes for 1,657 yards with 31 touchdowns and six interceptions for a quarterback rating of 114.06. He also carried the ball three times for 16 yards and two touchdowns. He won his first start in the AFL, beating the Tampa Bay Storm on the road. In 2001, he completed 59% of his passes for 1,186 yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a quarterback rating of 92.52. He also carried the ball seven times for eight yards and two touchdowns. In 2002, he completed 66.9% of his passes for 2,186 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 100.4. He also carried the ball once for minus one yard. In 2003, his first season with the Rush, Salisbury completed 67.4% of his passes for 677 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions for a quarterback rating of 91.43. He also carried the ball three times for five yards and one touchdown. In 2004, his last season in Chicago, he completed 62.7% of his passes for 438 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions for a quarterback rating of 111.41. He also carried the ball five times for four yards and two touchdowns. In 2005, his only season with the Destroyers, Salisbury completed 52.4 for 380 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions for a quartterback rating of, a career-worst, 64.25. He also carried the ball five times, for a career-high 44 yards, and two touchdowns. In 2006, he completed 60.2% of his passes for 3,239 yards, 58 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 99.3. He also carried the 15 times for minus one yard and two touchdowns. In 2007, he completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,244 yards, 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a quarterback rating of 108.82. He also carried the ball three times for one yard.

Coaching career

On August 25, 2007 Salisbury retired after sustaining a concussion. However, he still continued in football as a coach and athletic director at Byron Center High School. Also, in August 2008, he joined the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Avengers to be the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach. He is now the quarterback coach at California University of Pennsylvania.

Personal

Salisbury's nickname is "Big Country". His daughter’s name, Braylin, was chosen after he heard former Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards’ name numerous times while watching the 2004 Michigan-Michigan State game. His newest addition to the family is his second daughter Madalyn.