The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks & Ottawa Gee-Gees are expected to announce new head coaching leadership this week.
Laurier is reportedly having a Monday (or Tuesday) 12-noon press conference to announce the new head coach. Impressed by all 3 short listed candidates, the name being mentioned most is current York Lions offensive coordinator Michael Faulds. With only 3 years of CIS coaching experience, Faulds would be considered a risk by some, however he has impressed in interviews and in coaching assignments to date (including coaching and playing with Team Canada / World). Faulds is the all-time leading passer in the CIS. Rumour of a ‘hybrid’ coaching model has also been mentioned. Speculation of Western’s Chris Bertoia or McMaster’s Greg Knox (Laurier alumni) competing for the position were proven to be untrue.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees need to pick the right guy. After an embarrassing 2012, the Gee-Gees could turn their fortunes around with the appointment of a good leader in conjunction with the opening of their new football facility. A long list of candidates were rumoured to be interviewed before Christmas. Two names that have been mentioned as front runners are Jamie Barresi & Neil Lumsden – both having the pedigree and alumni connections to get the Gee-Gees restarted – but it is not confirmed if Lumsden or Barresi did interview for the position. Other names mentioned included ‘back-to-the-future’ candidates Ace Powell & Larry Ring. Current Gee-Gees special teams coordinator Luigi Costanzo, current Queen’s defensive line coach Leroy Blugh and current Concordia Offensive Line coach Bryan Chui were also apparently interviewed for the position. Ottawa Sun reporter Tim Baines in a recent article said that Acadia Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins was interviewed but withdrew his name recently.
CFC’s ‘roll-the-dice’ picks are Laurier to name Faulds & Ottawa U to get Barresi…but picking a coaching choice is not an exact science (see last 2 CIS seasons).
Jamie Barresi
Michael Faulds
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