CIS Head Coaching Vacancies 2014 (UBC, Regina, Waterloo, McGill) Confirmations and rumours

With the CIS season winding down, the offseason coaching frenzy begins.  With many watching the situation regarding four CIS Head Coaching vacancies, sources have confirmed to CanadaFootballChat.com the possible candidates for these positions.

Stat of the day:  In the last five years (since 2009) there has been 17 head coaching changes or 63% turnover…officially making a CIS head coach the career your mother warned you about.  The Q leads the way with five of six new head coaches in the last five seasons.

WATERLOO WARRIORS (OUA):

Could Chris Bertoia be on the move? The Western Mustangs Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator may be the potential leading candidate for this position.  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.  The real question is would he be interested in rebuilding his alma mater?

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.

However, sources have also disclosed that current Warriors Recruiting Coordinator Nial Both is also in the running for the positon.

Applications are being accepted for the Warriors position before Saturday.

MCGILL REDMEN (RSEQ):

Could one of the Donovan brothers be returning back to familiar surroundings?  It appears that Pat Donovan is one of the frontrunners for the McGill Redmen Head Coach position, which was vacated by Clint Uttley in early October.  Donovan was a defensive assistant coach with the Redmen until he followed his brother Mickey to the Concordia Stingers, where he is currently the team’s Defensive Coordinator.

Two other likely candidates are Redmen Offensive Coordinator Pat Boies and Defensive Coordinator Ron Hilaire.

Previous to the Redmen, Boies spent six seasons coaching CEGEP’s Division 1 squad, FX Garneau Elans (including four seasons as head coach).  During his tenure with the Elans, the team won a Bol D’Or championship title in 2011 as well as another one in 2008 at the collegiate AAA level. Other coaching stints include defensive coordinator for Beauce-Appalaches in 2002 and Cannes Iron Masks (France).

Boies had a successful playing career in the CIS as a member of the Laval Rouge et Or.  During his time there, he captained the Rouge et Or to their first Vanier Cup in 1999 and was selected as a second team All-Canadian defensive back.

Hilaire, who is a Montreal native, was previously a defensive assistant with the Montreal Carabins in 2013. He spent three years at the University of Montreal after retiring from the CFL.  Before his professional career he played four seasons at the University of Buffalo and is a graduate of CEGEP powerhouse Vieux-Montreal.

REGINA RAMS (CWUAA):

Sources have confirmed to CFC that Paul LaPolice was offered the Head Coaching positon but he has turned it down.  Lapolice has over 20 years of coaching experience.  The highlight of his coaching career has been guiding the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to an appearance in the Grey Cup in 2011 as Head Coach. His experience has been predominately in the CFL ranks as he has coached in Toronto, Hamilton and Saskatchewan. Currently, LaPolice serves as an analyst with TSN.

With LaPolice out of the running, the leading candidate for the positon is Rams alumni Marc Mueller.  The former Rams pivot is currently an assistant coach with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders and is busy preparing for the Grey Cup.  Mueller has great coaching blood lines as he is the nephew of legendary CFL player and coach Ron Lancaster.

Another candidate that is emerging is a local Regina High School legend.  As the Rams continue to review applications (began this process in mid-November), stay tuned to see how this one plays out.

UBC THUNDERBIRDS (CWUAA):

Will Blake Nill or Noel Thorpe make the move to the West Coast? Rumors are circulating that current Calgary Dinos Head Coach Blake Nill and Montreal Alouettes Defensive Coordinator Noel Thorpe are being courted for the position.

Nill has been with the Dinos since 2006.  During his tenure, he has led the team three Vanier Cup appearances (2009, 2010 and 2013).  The Dinos Head Coach was also the recipient of the Frank Tindall Trophy in 1999 and a finalist six additional times (2000, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2012, and 2013).  Previous to the Dinos, Nill guided the Saint Mary’s Huskies to two Vanier Cup Championships (2001, 2002).  Nill began his coaching career with St. Francis Xavier X-Men as Defensive Coordinator in 1992.  As a player, Nill played for the Dinos from 1980-1982 inclusively.  After being selected 19^th overall in the CFL draft by the Montreal Alouettes he played in the CFL with additional stints in Hamilton and Winnipeg. His CFL career lasted from 1983-88.  Why would Nill leave Calgary is the question for the rumour mill?

As for Thorpe, this is his second season with the Alouettes.  Previous to that, he completed a two year stop with the Montreal Carabins. Thorpe also served as Special Teams Coordinator for the Alouettes from 2002-2007. Thorpe spent time with the Thunderbirds as the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach from 1996-2000 inclusively.  Thorpe played a significant role in coaching the Thunderbirds to their Vanier Cup victory in 1997.  He has also previously coached with Simon Fraser Clan in 2001.  The way Thorpe’s defenses have played the last two seasons he is probably going to be a head coaching candidate in the CFL sooner than later.  Is this rumour legitimate or an UBC alumni hope?