ONTARIO PROSPECT CHALLENGE: Team Central JV Head Coach Russ Hoff

ONTARIO PROSPECT CHALLENGE…4 GAMES…8 TEAMS…GREAT PLAYERS

GAME INFO: CLICK HERE

WHERE: Guelph – University of Guelph Alumni Stadium – $10 general admission, all-day pass

WHEN:  Sunday May 4 – Kickoff times are 10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

BROADCAST: Live on Canadafootballchat.com & tape delay on ROGERS TV

This year’s JV Squad representing the OPC CENTRAL JV all-stars will be headed up by veteran coach Russ Hoff. Hoff brings an impressive football resume to the table on both the playing and coaching side. After a CIS career which saw time at both Toronto schools York and U of T, Hoff still had the burning passion for the game and began coaching. He’s been at it now 10 years and is well know in the Toronto coaching circles. Coaching at Downsview secondary school since 2010, he has led the Mustangs to the last two tier 2 titles in the GTA. Impressive considering that they are a relatively new program. Taking no time off in the summer, you’ll find Hoff patrolling the sidelines as bench boss for the Metro Toronto Wildcats Varsity squad. Coach Hoff shared some of his thoughts with us on this weekends ONTARIO PROSPECT CHALLENGE.

CFC: Coach thanks for taking time out of your schedule to talk with us. This being your fourth time heading up a Central all-star team and your first with the OPC, what approach do you take to prepping for a game like this.

COACH HOFF: First off I always apply the KISS principle when looking at my approach, you know KEEP IT SIMPLE!! I always have a set of short term goals, we determine them as a staff. Generally, I want to create that cohesiveness that is essential to football, obviously you don’t have a lot of time with these young men, so you want to focus on a few important coaching points and make sure you send them away “more prepared” than before. There is no magic formula.

CFC: And from a personal coaching point, any goals?

COACH HOFF: The beauty with an all-star game format, is it’s not about winning or losing. My goals are to keep this in mind and give every one of the players a chance to showcase their individuals talents and ensure they have fun doing so.

CFC: Thoughts on the tryout process thus far?

COACH HOFF: Well organized, great job with the minicamp. As this is my first OPC it was nice to meet some new faces, coach with some new coaches. The OPC is in it’s first season, so there will be a certain unknown element, but my experience and my impression so far have been very positive. It should be a great event.

CFC: Now that you have the bulk of the mini-camp behind you anything or anyone jump out?

COACH HOFF: Our defence is definitely coming together, I am impressed with the talent and how quickly they seem to have meshed. On the offensive side I have seen so many good things, but the talent of our quarterbacks has really jumped out at me. Ryan Astrom out of Crestwood secondary in Peterborough is a name that I think we will hear a lot from in the years to come. Daeshaun Jupiter-Deane is another athlete that has really jumped to the forefront, he can do everything and probably will for us, running back, slotback, and probably a little D. I’m really excited for the weekend to get here.

http://youtu.be/8znpqxN3PFQ

Don’t miss any of the action as Coach Hoff leads the GTA JV squad, kick-off is at 12h30 at The University of Guelph Alumni Stadium