Queen’s Athletics & Recreation extends contracts of Sheahan and Tracey

Queen’s University Athletics & Recreation is pleased to announce that current head coach Pat Sheahan and assistant coach/defensive coordinator Pat Tracey have signed contracts that will ensure their continuing leadership with the Queen’s football program for the foreseeable future.

“I’m very excited to have both coach Sheahan and Tracey continue in their leadership roles with the football team” said Leslie Dal Cin, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Queen’s University. “Great teams are inspired and led by great coaches. Both these gentlemen have proven records of success in developing and mentoring student-athletes as well as building an outstanding football program. They have distinguished themselves as championship caliber coaches and our program is in very good hands.

Sheahan and Tracey have coached together with the Gaels football program since the 2000 season when Sheahan came aboard as head coach and Tracey as special teams coach and recruiting coordinator before moving to the position of assistant coach/defensive coordinator in 2001. In 2009, the two coaches guided the Gaels team to their 23rd OUA Championship and the fourth Vanier Cup in school history.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to build a championship caliber football program at Queen’s University,” said head coach Sheahan. “With the addition of two full time assistant coaches for this past season, it speaks volumes to the level of commitment Queen’s is placing in the football program. We’ve come a long way in terms of success and have seen some very positive results which we plan to build on in the coming years.”

Sheahan, a Brockville, Ont. native, completed his 12th season at Queen’s University and his 23rd as a head coach in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. During his career he has made three Vanier Cup appearances capturing the national title twice, including his most recent with Queen’s in 2009. In 2008, Sheahan was honoured as the Frank Tindall Coach of the Year by his peers throughout the CIS.

“It’s a great pleasure to be continuing with the Queen’s football program,” commented Tracey. “The time and effort that are invested from the entire coaching staff will only increase our success on and off the field. The future is bright for our program as we have some great athletes that will continue to foster a winning atmosphere and make Queen’s a perennial contender in the OUA.”

Tracey, who hails from Foxboro, Ont. has mentored many exceptional defensive players during his time at Queen’s including four defensive CIS award winners, seven defensive OUA award winners and 13 CIS All-Canadians on defence.

Since the 2000 season the Gaels have compiled a record of 72-46-0 (.610).