Staying in Canada West, our 2012 CIS preview takes us to the University of Calgary where the Dinos and head coach Blake Nill are coming off their fourth straight Canada West title. Coach Nill is mixing some proven philosophies with a couple of new faces to try and stay on top of a very tough conference.
In a recent phone interview, Coach Nill was impressed with the strides all the Canada West teams took in the off-season. He noted that every team got better and knows it won’t be easy to chase a fifth consecutive Hardy Cup win.
“If you don’t bring your ‘A’ game every week in Canada West,” said Nill, “you have a good chance to lose.”
Nill understands his success has been built through recruiting and echoes many CIS coaches when he states his thoughts on recruiting.
“Our philosophy on recruiting is to take care of our backyard,” said Nill. “We make sure we’re able to attract the top kids out of Calgary and southern Alberta, then hand-pick a couple of blue-chip kids throughout the country.”
Nill is proud of his track record for local recruiting the past four or five seasons. Of course, having success perpetuates good recruiting classes and vice versa. Two hometown recruits who could pay immediate dividends are both in the defensive backfield. Hunter Turnbull out of Henry Wise Wood and Carson Stambene from St. Francis are exceptional athletes and could contribute this year.
The two new recruits will be helped along by strong veterans on defence. Defensive back Doc Cassama returns to the secondary after missing most of last season with an ACL injury. He’ll be back to 100% health by the start of the season.
The linebacking group will be strong even with Sam Hurl and Jordan Verdone potentially lost to the CFL. One of the luxuries of success is being able to develop young talent ready to step in.
Big Linden Gaydosh (6’4”, 305) anchors the defensive line for the Dinos. Calgary will continue their commitment to a base 30 defence that allowed only 19.5 points per game in 2011.
On offence, Calgary will lean heavily on All-Canadian running back Steven Lumbala. He will look to add to his already impressive CIS resume in 2012 as part of an offence that will feature a run-first philosophy. That philosophy helped entice highly-rated halfback Mercer Timmis to sign with Calgary.
“Mercer was probably the #1 back available to Canadian schools this year,” said Nill. “We were extremely excited to have him choose the University of Calgary and look forward to seeing him develop and reach his potential here with the Dinos.”
Eric Dzwilewski returns at the quarterback position. He’ll have the inside track to start again, but Kiefer Olson is coming back from a knee injury and will compete for snaps.
Look for Elie Bouka from CEGEP Montmorency to contribute at the wideout spot. Coach Nill was happy with his off-season regimen.
“He is going to be a factor in his first year and his training parallels that,” said the coach about the young receiver.
On the offensive line, Sean McEwen (6’3”, 280) started in 2011 as a freshman and has shown maturity beyond his years during a great off-season. He’ll have help this season from Sukh Chungh (6’4”, 300) who has been impressive in the weight room and will be counted on for protection up front.
Nill and his staff are confident with the talented roster they’ve assembled, but want their players to have an edge as well.
“I’m a competitor,” said Nill. “I think programs emulate their coaches. If you want to be able to compete against the top programs in the country, you have to have the attitude to do what it takes to get better.”
Getting better for Calgary means two more wins in November.
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