Rebuilding the Warriors (PART 1): Bertoia leads the charge for change

CFC INSIDER

CanadaFootballChat.com brings to you an exclusive feature on the Waterloo Warriors rebuild.

Recently, Editor Ameeta Vohra interviewed rookie Warriors Head Coach Chris Bertoia about his new position, as well as his goals for both the football program and recruitment.

In this first installment, Bertoia reflects back on his time with his previous team the Western Mustangs as well as opens up about his thoughts about realizing the ultimate dream of becoming a CIS Head Coach of his alma mater and why he took on the job of rebuilding the OUA team.

 

Chris Bertoia Waterloo

 

PART 1 Bertoia leads the charge for change:

Prior to the Waterloo Warriors, Chris Bertoia had already established himself as a hard working recruiter and coach on a national and provincial stage.  Over the course of time, the London, Ontario native has built up a resume full of experience at the high school, junior and CIS level.

As a player, Bertoia enjoyed a successful CIS career with the Warriors.  As a starting offensive lineman for four seasons, he guided the team to two Yates Cup Championships (1997 and 1999) as well as four consecutive appearances in the OUA Championship Final.  Additionally, he was selected to the OUA All-Star team at the offensive tackle position.

Bertoia began his coaching ascension in 2000 at the high school level with the Catholic Central Crusaders of the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association (TVRAA).  Up until the 2003 season, he served as the Offensive Line Coach of the team.

In 2002, Bertoia also instructed in the same role with the London Beefeaters of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) in the Canadian Junior Football League. He would remain with the team until 2004.

His first taste of coaching in the CIS took place in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  In his four and a half year tenure with the St. Francis Xavier X-Men, Bertoia instructed the offensive line, the defensive line, was a strength and conditioning coach and also began garnering his reputation as a top Recruiting Coordinator in the CIS.  He guided the team to three AUS Conference Championship appearances.  During his time there, three offensive and one defensive lineman went in the CFL Draft.

Chris Bertoia 2

Then in January 2009, Bertoia would move back to his native hometown and join the OUA’s Western Mustangs. In six seasons with the Mustangs, he was the Recruiting Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. During his time with the Mustangs, Bertoia’s legacy is impressive – six offensive lineman he instructed moved on to enjoy successful CFL career, 11 lineman were selected as OUA All-Stars and five players were Academic All-Canadians. Bertoia helped the Mustangs win two Yates Cup Championship (2010, 2013).

Additionally, Bertoia served as Head Coach of the London Jr Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) in 2011 and 2012.  During his time two years as head coach, he led the Jr. Mustangs to an undefeated 11-0 record en route to the League Championship in 2011.

All this experience set Bertoia up for the day he would get his opportunity to realize his ultimate dream – becoming a CIS Head Coach of his alma mater.  His dream was fulfilled officially on December 18th, 2014 as he was introduced as the new Warriors Head Coach.

Bertoia and Marshall

(Photo credit: Samantha Fischer Photography)

At the time the Warriors vacancy was posted, Bertoia and the Mustangs were making their push to reach the OUA postseason.  Therefore, he was focused on the task at hand and could not consider the position until the Mustangs bowed out of the playoffs.  It wasn’t until the Vanier Cup Championship was decided before Bertoia would even consider the offer and overall it took a three week process before he ultimately came to the decision of taking the Warriors Head Coaching position.

“When the job was posted, we were still in the playoff hunt,” recalled Bertoia.  “We had our OUA semi-final game, with the team I was with at the time Western, up against Guelph in the semi-final which we ultimately lost.”

“That’s when the job was posted.  In all honesty, the reality and seriousness of it all happened post Vanier Cup so it was really a three week timeframe I guess once things kind of started happening. We had meetings, interviews, whatever you want to call them.  I was still recruiting at Western.  It was fairly a short timeframe when it was the nuts and bolts.  It started right after the Vanier Cup and the press conference was on the 18th of December.  I wouldn’t say that there wasn’t a ton of seriousness before Vanier Cup.  There was talk during the week of Vanier Cup. A lot of guys were asking “are you going to be putting your name in?” and so forth.  I didn’t ultimately decide until the Vanier hit and then went from there.”

Greg Marshall

 

 

Bertoia credits his former boss, Mustangs Head Coach Greg Marshall for steering him towards the Warriors Head Coaching position.  Ultimately, Marshall felt the time was perfect for Bertoia to become a Head Coach at the CIS level.

“When the job opportunity opened at Waterloo, it was really Greg that was the one that suggested that if they were to reach out to me, that I should hear them out to see what everything was about and how things were moving forward with regards to support from the administration and support of a game plan for reengaging our alumni and so forth,” explained the Warriors Head Coach.  “When that was initiated, I just kind of went forward with it.”

“I knew that the job was posted but it was something that Greg brought it to my attention.  Greg said, “If they reach out, you should hear them out and see what it is all about because you are ready to be a head coach.”.”

Bertoia Marshall & Marcus

However, it wasn’t an easy decision for Bertoia to leave the Mustangs.  He was content with the OUA team that he spent six seasons with and knew it would be hard to leave behind Marshall as well as the coaches and players he forged special bonds and relationship with throughout the course of his tenure.

“I was happy at Western and I really enjoyed working with Greg,” expressed the Warriors Head Coach.  “He was a really great mentor to me and friend and we’ve grown tight over the last six years.”

“I was in a good situation obviously.  Western is an outstanding football program.  There are a lot of outstanding people working there and that’s the reason why they are successful.”

For Bertoia, it was with a heavy heart that he made the decision to move on not just from the Mustangs, but his native hometown and a community that has embraced and admired him.

“It’s still hard really,” said the Warriors Head Coach.  “I’m living in London and that’s where my mom is and my family and my wife and her family is there as well.”

“It’s easy to be in London from everything just from support and have people for our kids to hang out with. From a standpoint of Western, I was happy.”

Western 2014 recruits

 

When he accepted the position with the Warriors, Bertoia never had a proper opportunity to bid farewell to the Mustangs family. Next weekend, he will get a chance to see everyone one last time. While parting is such sweet sorrow, Bertoia knows the Mustangs are in good shape and only hopes his former team enjoys continued success, especially in achieving a specific goal that he was part of during his time there.

“Being in the recruiting game and from coaching the offensive line specifically, you build a lot of relationships with the players because you are part of their recruiting process,” commented Bertoia.  “Our motto there was “take care of kids on and off the field” and that is something I am going to carry forward at Waterloo.”

“Those guys have all sent me messages and I had an opportunity to speak with a lot of them on the phone.  Next weekend is the Western football banquet and Greg wants me back there to be a part of it and to conclude the season that has just passed and just get a chance to formally say goodbye to everyone really because during Christmas time, everyone was done exams and went home.  I am going to miss those kids especially.  I’m a kid at heart too; that could be classified as a player’s coach and I am definitely going to miss those guys.  There’s no doubt about it.  I have lot of fond memories and a lot of great relationships.  They are going to forge ahead; I have no doubt in my mind and push towards that Vanier Cup that we were building towards when I was there.  I have no doubt that Coach Marshall is going to get it and I hope he gets it and I will be really proud when he does.”

Chris Bertoia Team Ontario

As for his new position, it has been the culmination of years of blood, sweat and tears that led him to the moment when he realized his dream of becoming the head coach of his alma mater.

“Ultimately, that is what I wanted to do and that is what I have worked towards,” said the rookie CIS Head Coach.  “My time out in Antigonish at St. FX was also a great learning experience for me; it was a great place to be that that time in my life.”

“Ultimately, that was my goal and then the fact that Waterloo is my alma mater and that I was so many great memories from my time at Waterloo.  When I was there, we were successful playing in four straight Yates Cups and winning two.  I just thought all the ducks were in a row and which I was confidently given that indication.  I really couldn’t pass it up when the opportunity came and that’s kind of why.”

Furthermore, Bertoia felt it was time to take on a something new which wouldn’t cause a lot of disruption and was the right set of circumstances.

“It’s also the challenge of doing something different,” expressed the Warriors Head Coach.  “The last 10 years being a recruiter and an offensive line coach when I know I was quite capable of being an Offensive Coordinator but I was happy in my situation at Western.”

“The timing was right and my kids are in kindergarten and going into Grade 1 so moving isn’t as great of a deal.  Everything just kind of aligned.”

Chris Bertoia Waterloo 2

 

With accepting the Warriors Head Coaching position, it is not lost on Bertoia that he is now in an elite group. There are very few chances to become a Head Coach of a CIS program; therefore, the new Warriors Head Coach is soaking in the experience while getting ready to roll up his sleeves and get down to work at the task at hand of rebuilding the Warriors football program.

“When it all happened, pen was to paper and press conference and all that stuff, it smacked me in the face that “wow”,” explained Bertoia.  “To have an opportunity be a head coach in the CIS where there are not 150 jobs, there’s 27 and my first opportunity to be head coach at the University of Waterloo where I have so many fond memories, my alma mater and influenced by many guys like Tuffy Knight and built so many relationships.”

“I worked my tail off for St.FX and I worked my tail off for Western.  That’s where I built my reputation as a hard worker.  Now that there is that extra piece that makes it extra special because it is your old school.  I have no doubt that I am not going to slow down and I am going to try to work harder.”

Overall, it has been an thrilling time not just for Bertoia, but for the Warriors as well.  While he knows it will be a challenge, Bertoia can already see the positive change within the football team.  That energy has also transcended to the school, alumni and Waterloo community.

“It’s exciting,” expressed the Warriors Head Coach.  “The amount of support and I received from our alumni at Waterloo to this point has led me to believe that it was a great decision on my part to take charge and turn the program around.”

“It’s not going to be an easy task but I’m a realist.  It’s a marathon, not a race and I already feel great momentum and positive energy two weeks in basically to the gig.”

Next week, CanadaFootballChat.com will bring you the next installment in the series.

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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