PRESS RELEASE: Legendary U Sports coach Pat Sheahan announces retirement

Photo Credit: David Moll/Calgary Dinos Athletics

CALGARY – After an unparalleled coaching career, University of Calgary Dinos offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Pat Sheahan has announced his retirement.

Sheahan joined the Dinos Football coaching staff in early 2019, replacing his son Ryan Sheahan, and made an instant impact, helping guide Calgary to its fifth Vanier Cup title in program history.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Calgary and head coach Wayne Harris for an amazing three-year chapter here in Calgary.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time here working with the Dino coaches and players,” said Sheahan. “The program is in very good hands. When you have been around as long as I have you learn that there are never any clean breaks in coaching. When you make changes there are always good folks left behind. I am looking forward to watching the players albeit from a distance become champions again.

“My reasons for leaving are deeply personal. My family needs me closer to home. I am a committed family guy who is mitigating our current public health circumstances from a significant distance. It’s time to go home.”

In his two seasons with the Scarlet and Gold, he helped orchestrate the Dinos offence to just under 31 points per game and nearly 500 yards per game. Tyson Philpot also won Canada West Player of the Year honours this season under Sheahan’s coaching.

“I am thankful that I had the opportunity to coach with Pat Sheahan,” said Dinos head coach Wayne Harris. “His contributions were instrumental to winning our 2019 national championship. I wish him all the best as he returns to his home to be closer to his family and grandchildren.”

Before joining the Calgary staff, Sheahan had 30 years of head coaching experience. He served as the head coach at Queen’s University from 2000-2018, leading the Gaels to a Vanier Cup championship in 2009. He was also named the winner of the Frank Tindall Trophy as the U SPORTS coach of the year in 2008 and earned three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football coach of the year awards.

Before his time at Queen’s, he was the head coach at Concordia University in Montreal from 1989-99, taking the Stingers to their first Vanier Cup appearance in 1998. He began his coaching career at McGill University, where he was the assistant head coach from 1984-88 and part of McGill’s 1987 Vanier Cup championship team.

Source: godinos.com/news