Hurricanes announce this year’s coaching staff

Charlottetown, PE – With the excitement building for the upcoming football season, the Holland College Hurricanes have announced several additions to the coaching staff. Head coach and defensive coordinator Mark MacDougall, who is returning for his third season with the club, confirmed the assignments for his staff of assistant coaches.

Bernie Tierney will return as linebacker coach. He is a Level 2 nationally-certified coach with 14 years of coaching experience.

Ben Parsons, who has been with the program since its inception, will focus his attention on receivers and running backs this season. Parsons played fullback at Mount Allison University.

Newcomer Andrew Hickey will assume offensive coordinator responsibilities. Hickey was a captain and MVP with the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men. During his five-year CIS career, which included a couple of years at the University of Waterloo, he played quarterback, running back, receiver and on special teams. Andrew’s brother, Sean, a former Vanier Cup MVP and an all-conference signal caller at Mount Allison, will work with the team’s quarterbacks.

The offensive line will be the responsibility of Dennis Sweet. A former Head Coach with Lyndon Institute, a prep school in northeastern Vermont, Sweet has 36 years of coaching experience and has taught a course in football coaching at the college level for a number of years. During his distinguished career, he took his team to five state championship games.

Former UPEI All-Canadian Defensive Tackle, Mike Lyriotokis, has accepted an invitation as a guest coach during the team’s training camp. A member of the PEI Football Hall of Fame, “Tokis” is pleased to be a part of the Hurricanes efforts.

Team president Mike O’Grady acknowledged the essential role that the volunteer coaches play in the program’s ongoing development and sustainability.

“Every year we are extremely grateful for the coaches who step up to contribute their time and experience, giving back to the game they love. Their commitment ensures a great experience for current players and fans, and for future generations as well.”

Training camp opens with registration on Friday, August 30, at 6 p.m. at MacKinnon Lecture in the Charlottetown Centre on the Prince of Wales Campus of Holland College. Veterans and prospects take the field the next day at 9 a.m. at UPEI.