Waterloo Warriors announce 2015 coaching staff

Chris Bertoia (head coach/offensive coordinator) has been extremely busy since being named head coach of the Warriors on December 18 and today he is pleased to announce his coaching staff for the 2015 season.

Matt Robichaud will be the defensive coordinator/assistant strength and conditioning coach and he comes over after serving as the linebackers coach as Western.  Robichaud has had a rich coaching background including working a season with the London Jr. Mustangs (OVFL) as a linebackers coach and six seasons with the Burlington Stampeders (OFC) as the defensive and special teams coordinator. Prior to becoming a coach, Robichaud had an illustrious career playing linebacker for Bishop’s University and eight seasons in the CFL (2001-2009) with Ottawa (2002/2003) and Hamilton (2001, 2004-2009).  Matt has a daughter named Siena who is six.

Nial Both returns to the Warriors for his fourth season as the recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach.  He was born in south Sudan and moved to Kitchener in 1988.  Nial played CIS football with Laurier (2002-2004), St. Mary’s Huskies (2005-2007), and the University of Ottawa (2008). Nial’s first coaching job came as a defensive coordinator at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute, his alma mater.

John Sullivan returns to the Warrior coaching staff as the special teams coordinator after a 4 year hiatus.  Sullivan was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator with Waterloo for the 2009 and 2011 season’s and held the same positions with Kitchener Resurrection High School from 2012-2014.

Sullivan graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2005 after a standout career in the Warrior defensive backfield.  John currently holds the all-time tackles record for the University.  Sullivan was a three-time OUA all-star and was recognized as a CIS all-Canadian and the OUA defensive player of the year in 2004.  Sullivan was also named the University of Waterloo male athlete of the year in 2005.  Sullivan was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he played for two seasons.  John resides in Waterloo with his wife Laura.

Ryan Pyear joins the Warriors for his first season as the pass game coordinator and quarterback’s coach.  Pyear comes from across the street after serving seven seasons (2006-2012) as offensive coordinator of the Golden Hawks.  He also has an extensive playing career with the Hawks having being named a first-team all-Canadian in 2005 and second-team in 2004.  Pyear is currently the Director of undergraduate recruitment in the faculty of engineering at UWaterloo.  Ryan and his wife Monica live in Waterloo and are expecting their first child this spring.

Marshall Bingeman returns for his 28th season this time as assistant coach.  Bingeman began his playing career as an offensive tackle with the Warriors in 1986 and was an OUAA all-star in 1989 and 1990.  Upon graduating he stayed on as an assistant offensive line coach for 3 years, offensive line coach for 12 years, offensive coordinator for one year, two years as interim Head Coach, and seven years as Director of Football Operations.  Bingeman has coached seven all-Canadians and one Metras Trophy winner during his time as offensive line coach.  Marshall lives in Waterloo with his wife Kim and two children Lauren and Jonas.

Matt Fraser returns for his second year as the Warriors offensive line coach.  Fraser graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Liberal Arts Degree; he also has a Bachelor of Education.  Fraser was a Warrior offensive lineman from 2001-2006 where he captained the team in the ’05 and ’06 seasons.  Fraser was heavily involved at the High School level in the Waterloo Region (WCSSAA) from 2007-2013.  Matt lives in Waterloo with his wife Amy and children Audrey and Eli.
Dr. Tony Chris returns to the Warriors as the running backs coach.  Chris is an orthopedic surgeon and has been the Warriors team doctor for 22 years.  He has been a hugely successful high school Head Coach, leading the Resurrection Phoenix to 28 straight wins and a Western Bowl championship.

Andrew MacGregor will work as the receivers coach for the 2015 season.  Born and raised in Waterloo, MacGregor attended Bluevale Collegiate Institute where he played five seasons with the Knights. He enjoyed a five year CIS football career playing WR/PR/KR for his home town Warriors and alongside Head Coach Chris Bertoia for four of them. MacGregor was a member of the 1997 Yates Cup Championship team and was recognized as an OUA All-Star that same year. MacGregor also holds the Warriors all time record for most punt return yardage and is eighth all time for most kick- off return yardage in school history.   MacGregor graduated from Waterloo with a degree in Environmental Studies and also has a Bachelor of Education degree.  Andrew lives in Waterloo and has a daughter Maggie who is eight.

Paul Kowalik returns for his fourth season with the Warriors as the linebacker coach.  Prior to coaching at Waterloo, Kowalik was the LB’s and defensive coordinator coach at St. David’s from 2007-2009 and at SJAM in 2010 and 2011.  Kowalik was once a hard hitting linebacker and defensive lineman with the Warriors for five seasons (2001-2006) and has worked extensively over the past few years with local high school teams to recruit the best to Waterloo.

Rob McMurren returns to the Warriors as the defensive line coach after a two year hiatus where he was the defensive coordinator (2012/13).  Coach McMurren capped off an outstanding five year playing career with the Warriors by winning a Yates Cup and being named an all-Canadian noseguard in 1997.  After spending time playing with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and playing in Europe, Coach McMurren spent eight years coaching the defensive line for Waterloo before moving on to become the Defensive Coordinator with Sir John A MacDonald high school and defensive line coordinator with the Twin Cities Predators of the CJFL.

Chris Bertoia and the Warriors will be announcing their recruits on Thursday, March 12 at the newly renovated FED Hall at 4:30pm.

(Source: Dan Ackerman, Waterloo Warriors Sports Information).

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