Stingers head coach announces retirement

McGrath to retire after 22 years with Stingers football program

On Oct. 26, after the last game of the season for the Concordia Stingers football team, Gerry McGrath announced he is retiring as the team’s head coach.

“I would like to thank Gerry for his long and distinguished service to Concordia and his contributions to one of our key varsity sports programs,” said Deputy Provost Lisa Ostiguy. McGrath’s career at the university has spanned 22 years, including 14 at the helm of the football program.

However, the university will still benefit from McGrath’s knowledge and expertise says Patrick Boivin, director of Recreation and Athletics. “Gerry has greatly influenced the development of our program and he will be instrumental in supporting our efforts to prepare for the 2014 season and in looking at how we can further develop our football program.”

McGrath took over the reins of the Concordia Stingers in the 2000 football season after serving as offensive coordinator for eight seasons. He is regarded as an offensive genius, especially when it comes to the passing game. His innovations as a coach at the junior and semi-professional levels have heavily influenced the game in the province of Quebec.

“His knowledge of the game and his coaching style has allowed many of his players to achieve great success at the professional level,” added Boivin.

The search for a new head coach will begin in the off season.

BIOGRAPHY:

After 14 seasons as head coach of the Concordia Stingers football team Gerry McGrath announced his retirement on Oct. 26, 2013.

He agreed to stay on with the Concordia Department of Recreation and Athletics as a consultant, helping to prepare for the 2014 season and develop long-term plans for the program.

The veteran coach took over the reins of the Stingers in the 2000 football season after serving as offensive co-ordinator for eight seasons under the tutelage of legendary coach Pat Sheahan. Together McGrath and Sheahan ran the best campaign in the history of Concordia when their 1998 team won the Quebec conference championship and the Atlantic Bowl before being edged out 24-17 by the Saskatchewan Huskies in the national championship game.

McGrath also brought a wealth of experience to Concordia from his days as a kicker in the CFL (1980-86) with the Montreal Alouettes and Concordes, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. All the while the Montreal native proved to be an ardent student of the game. He kept in-depth notes and files on football strategies for countless years.

He is regarded as an offensive genius, especially when it comes to the passing game. His innovations as a coach at the junior and semi-professional levels have heavily influenced the game in the province of Quebec. He is very adept at developing a pro style offence and preparing receivers to play at the professional level.

Receivers who went on to the CFL include Cory Watson, Liam Mahoney, Sylvain Girard, Denis Montana and André Bolduc. Girard and Montana attended NFL camps before signing in the CFL.

Currently two of McGrath’s kickers/punters are in the CFL – Mike Renaud in Winnipeg and Rene Paredes in Calgary. McGrath also developed punter Burke Dales who was invited to a NFL camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers upon his university graduation in 2002. He eventually played with the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos and was a four-time CFL West all-star.

Many professional kickers seek McGrath out and train with him in the off-season, including all-star Luca Congi of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Several Stingers have attracted NFL attention under McGrath’s watch. Most recently linebacker Cory Greenwood signed as a free agent and played 2010-12 with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is currently a member of the Detroit Lions. Montreal Alouettes offensive lineman Kristian Matte went to the Houston Texans training camp in 2010 before signing with the CFL team.

McGrath was named the Quebec university football conference Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2006. As well, several Stingers have won national recognition in the last 14 years, including four outstanding defensive players in the CIS: Mickey Donovan (2004), Patrick Donovan (2005 and 2006), Cory Greenwood (2009) and Max Caron (2011). Quarterback/receiver Liam Mahoney was the CIS Rookie of the Year in 2007 and defensive end Troy Cunningham was the outstanding lineman in 2004.