Coach Jack Duffy was a great football coach and a true Stallion.
He was a member of the original Huronia Stallions coaching staff in 1993 and coached full-time with the team through the 1998 season.
Duffy died April 17 at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie.
He was 82.
A celebration of his life was held Thursday at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Barrie, followed by a social gathering at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 147 on St. Vincent Street.
In 1996, I joined the Stallions and played fullback with Coach Jack as my position coach. I was new to the position and his coaching and guidance really helped me learn and progress as a player.
Coach also contributed greatly to our teamβs offensive systems. He drew up one particular play which our coaching staff simply called βThe Jack Special.β It has remained a go-to option in the Stallions playbook to this day.
In fact, it has been confounding defences across the province for 18 years.
Coach brought his young grandson, Jason, to practice and games to assist the players and he was an integral part of the team.
Jason really cared for the players and made sure we always had everything we needed. Coach Jack and Jason showed the players the importance and strength of family.
In 1996, Coach Jack also had a successful stint on the staff of the Eastview Secondary Senior team.
Jack Duffy grew up playing football with the East York football club as a linebacker. He excelled at the 22-and-under junior level competing against teams in the GTA. Those were the days when the players wore leather helmets, which is indicative of Jackβs toughness.
Jack went on to coach the Rosedale Roughriders for a number of years before moving out west and having a family. Years later, he moved to Barrie and joined a fledging organization called the Huronia Stallions.
After he retired from coaching, Coach would periodically attend games. It was always a treat to converse with Coach Jack and enjoy his affable personality, wit and humour.
He was honoured in 2012 as the Coach of the Stallions All Two-Decade Team.
This summer, I had the great pleasure of watching the Stallions playoff victory over Peterborough with Coach Jack. He regaled me with several priceless stories which I will always hold dear.
He had a tremendous impact on our organization and will be truly missed by the Stallions family.
Jason Romisher is the media and recruiting co-ordinator for the Huronia Stallions.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
2024 CFC Prospect Game Scouting Reports: Offensive Line Part 1
