Bishop’s announces coaching staff, new additions

SHERBROOKE, Que. – There is no substitute for experience and experience is exactly what the 2016 Bishop’s Gaiters football coaching staff will bring to the table. With the opening of training camp yesterday, the Gaiters are pleased to present their 2016 coaching staff.

Kevin Mackey enters his fifth season at the helm of the Gaiters football program.  This year will be different for the 2013 Frank Tindall Award winner as CIS Coach of the Year. The Gaiters announced in the offseason the addition of a defensive coordinator meaning Mackey will have more time to spend running the program.  He will also handle defensive backs and is the special team’s coordinator.

Marc Loranger was added to the coaching staff in March.  He will take the reins of the defense.  The former Mount Allison Mounties Head Coach previously spent time with the Gaiters (2000-2006) and the Sherbrooke Vert et Or (2007-2011).  He will bring a wealth of knowledge not only on the defensive side of the ball but also when it comes to understanding the powerhouse RSEQ conference.

Brent Bailey returns as the offensive play-caller.  Bailey enters his fifth year at that position.  Known for running a high-energy offense Baily will lead a group that has one more year of CIS experience under its belt.

New additions to the Gaiters staff include 2015 Grey Cup Champion Mathieu Boulay.  Boulay played for the Gaiters from 2007 until 2011 before earning his way into the professional ranks.  After suiting up for a few different teams, Boulay found a home in Edmonton in 2014.  He decided in the offseason to take the next step in his coaching career and joined the Gaiters staff this summer.  Boulay will coach the defensive line.

Bryan Counter returns to Bishop’s where he was an emotional leader and captain of the Gaiters’ special teams in 2013. The former running back and Lac Megantic, Que. native will work with the Gaiters’ ball carriers.

Jonathan Thibault also joins the Gaiters coaching ranks.  The former Cegep de Sherbrooke Volontaire got into the coaching ranks with Universite de Sherbrooke under the guidance of Claude Gauthier. He later moved onto be the defensive coordinator at Le Triolet.  Thibault will be a defensive assistant and the linebackers coach with the Gaiters.

Returning on the sidelines is offensive line coach Kyle Handy.  Handy, a former Gaiters’ captain was part of the East’s squads coaching staff at the 2016 East-West Bowl in May.

Jeff Willet returns for his second year with the Gaiters. He has been instrumental in the Gaiters recruiting during the offseason and will coach the quarterbacks once training camp gets underway.

Javier Rivera is back to guide the Gaiters pass catchers.  The former Bishop’s receiver will be work closely with Bailey to prepare the Gaiters’ air attack.

Working once again with the team’s kickers will be Daniel Paquette.  He is a kicking guru who works with a number of teams in the region. Paquette was also asked to be a guest coach at the Edmonton Eskimo’s training camp this spring.

Also back as assistant coaches are Ian Breck and Steve Etcheverry.  The volunteers do a number of invaluable tasks for the Gaiters both on and off the field.

Bishop’s gets their football training camp underway on Aug. 14.  The ball will be kicked off for real on Sept. 3 when cross-town rival Sherbrooke visits the Gaiters under the Coulter Field lights. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Source and photo: Bishops Athletics