Alberta extends contract of Jeff Stead for one season

EDMONTON – Golden Bears football head coach Jeff Stead was granted a contract extension today by the University of Alberta. Stead, originally from Okotoks, Alta., originally accepted the position in April of 2011.

Director of Athletics Dr. Ian Reade stated, “We have agreed to give Jeff a contract extension through the 2012 CIS football season. This provides a better opportunity for a fair evaluation of his performance as head coach. Our policy is to evaluate coaches on a 12 month basis, and without this extension Jeff will only have had a six month term. He has put his time in to work his way up through the CIS ranks, from unit coach to coordinator to head coach. To judge his efforts as head coach in a year in which he inherited the program in April seems unfair”.

“This is in line with our intention to modify all coaching contracts for our fall sports to end in December, rather than the current June end dates,” added Reade.

One of Stead’s first acts as bench boss was the announcement of six Alberta high school recruits, an impressive class of freshmen who are already making an impact in Canada West, and will serve as building blocks for future seasons. Linebacker Connor Ralph, of Raymond, Alta., has started just one game but already finds himself inside the conference top 20 tacklers, while freshman defensive lineman Greg Severin, a product of St. Francis Xavier high school, is an emerging pass rusher.

“We are satisfied that Jeff has done the best job possible given the situation he was handed and we are completely confident that he will provide outstanding leadership for the 2012 season,” added Reade.

In accordance with current Faculty policy, all sport programs are reviewed at the end of their competitive seasons. A complete review of the football program will be conducted by Athletics in December of 2011, and again in December of 2012.

The Golden Bears are home to the Regina Rams this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as part of ‘Alumni Week’ at the University of Alberta.