Bertoia introduced as Waterloo Warriors Head Coach

UPDATED 18/12/2014 @ 7:00PM EST

Chris Bertoia is the new Head Coach of the Waterloo Warriors.

Bertoia comes to the Warriors after previously serving as the Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator of the Western Mustangs. He recently completed his sixth season with the team.

Bertoia is prominent Waterloo alumni and was a starter on the Warriors for four seasons.  During that time, he led the team to two Yates Cup Championships (1997 and 1999).  Additionally, he was selected to the OUA All-Star team at the offensive tackle position.  Bertoia’s name always comes up when the Warriors job is vacant.

Previous coaching stints include St. Francis Xavier X-Men, London Beefeaters of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) and Catholic Central Crusaders of the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association (TVRAA).  Bertoia served as Head Coach of the London Jr Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) in 2011 and 2012.  During his time two years as head coach, he led the Jr. Mustangs to an undefeated 11-0 record en route to the League Championship in 2011.

The following is the official announcment from the school:

A familiar face is returning to patrol the Warrior football sidelines. The University of Waterloo today appointed Chris Bertoia as Head Coach and Manager of Football Operations.

Bertoia, previously an assistant coach with the Western Mustangs, was an integral part of Warriors football during the glory years when Waterloo won the Yates Cup in 1997 and again when he captained the side in 1999.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Western. I was very happy there and they treated my family and I so well,” said Chris Bertoia. “It’s very rewarding to have an opportunity at a place where you played. It’s humbling to lead your alma mater. You can relate better with your players because you sat in the same chairs, went to the same classes, and represented the same football program. It makes everything more meaningful and I’m excited by the opportunity to rebuild the Warrior Football Program.”
Bertoia spent the last five seasons as Recruitment Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for Western. He built a reputation as a strong mentor during his tenure at Western, coaching five Academic All-Canadians, 11 OUA All-Stars, and guiding six offensive linemen to gain experience in the Canadian Football League.

“Chris has been successful both as a player at Waterloo and within the CIS coaching ranks,” said Christine Stapleton, associate director of athletics at Waterloo. “We are excited to have Bertoia direct this program and we believe Chris will model exactly what it means to be a Warrior.”

Bertoia also brings experience in recruitment, alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives – key aspects of this role. Bertoia will be tasked with creating a culture, with an increased sense of accountability and pride.

“Our commitment to our stakeholders was to find a leader that could rebuild our program to be both successful and sustainable,” commented Roly Webster, director of athletics and recreation at Waterloo. “Today I feel we have honoured that commitment in announcing Chris Bertoia as our new coach.”

Despite recent struggles on the gridiron, Warriors Football has enjoyed success with 170 student-athletes named OUA All-Stars and 56 student-athletes receiving All-Canadian status. Waterloo has also had over 100 athletes named as Academic All-Canadians since 2000 for achieving an 80% average.

Bertoia will begin his tenure immediately.

The following is a statement from the Warriors:

The Waterloo Warriors are thrilled to announce this afternoon that Chris Bertoia, former Waterloo football standout and part of the 1997 and 1999 Yates Cup championship teams, will be leading the black and gold next season. In front of family, friends, staff, and alumni, Bertoia was officially welcomed to the Waterloo team.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Chris to the Waterloo family,” said Christine Stapleton, associate director of Athletics at the University of Waterloo. “We believe that Chris is the most qualified candidate to lead these young men and we look forward to the new direction this team is headed.”

Bertoia, who is joining the Warriors after spending the last five seasons with the Western Mustangs, is eager to face the challenge ahead of him and excited to get back to his football roots.

“There’s something special about being able to come home and coach for your alma mater, and this opportunity doesn’t present itself very often so I’m going to take advantage,” commented new head coach, Chris Bertoia. “I’ve been treated incredibly well at Western, but this is an opportunity that I could not pass up and I’m excited to roll up our sleeves get to work.”

When asked about what to expect from the new-look Warriors, athletic director Roly Webster said success is on its way, but it will take time.

“We’re not going to kid ourselves and assume that success is going to happen overnight, but we are working to put the tools in place to be successful both on-and-off the field,” explains Webster. “We are committed to football and know that Chris is the right guy to lead this change.”

Bertoia, who has spent much time in recruitment roles in previous positions, knows that this was a key attribute for being brought into this new role with the Warriors.

“My strengths are in recruiting – it’s in my blood – and I am optimistic that this will allow me to change the culture and attitude of this program,” said Bertoia. “If you look at any of the top programs in the CIS, they all have strong support from their alumni, and in due time, I aim to do the same here at Waterloo.”

Brendan Conway, co-captain of the Football team and a key member who was involved in much of the hiring process, voiced his utmost excitement for the new leadership on its way.

“What stuck out as a team for us was the fire, passion and charisma he brings along with him,” commented Conway. “This guy has been a winner at every level, and the guys are going to thrive off that starting immediately; you can already feel the excitement in the room.”

The Warriors will look forward to next season under their new leadership and hope that Bertoia will bring the key to starting a rebuild of a once proud Warriors Football program.