Photo courtesy Calgary Stampeders
CALGARY – Already boasting one of the deepest coaching staffs in the nation, the University of Calgary Dinos football team will be that much deeper in 2016 as Head Coach Wayne Harris announced that Tom Higgins has joined the Dinos as Defensive Coordinator.
Higgins returns to the program where he got his start in coaching, a three-year stint that included a Vanier Cup title in 1983. His career has led him to head coaching positions with the Edmonton Eskimos (2001-04), Calgary Stampeders (2005-07), and Montreal Alouettes (2014-15). Higgins also served as General Manager of the Eskimos from 1997-2004 and was the Canadian Football League’s Director of Officiating from 2008-13.
Over the course of his CFL head coaching career, Higgins accumulated a record of 81-62-1 (.566), winning three division titles with the Eskimos and capturing the 2003 Grey Cup title in Edmonton.
“We’re very excited to have Tom back with the Dinos, after coaching with us from 1982 to 1984,” said Harris, who led the Dinos to an undefeated season and earned CIS coach-of-the-year honours in his first year in 2015. “Tom brings a wealth of experience from his 30 years in the CFL. He is an excellent technician of the game and has developed plenty of great talent, and our student-athletes will benefit from his experience.”
Higgins will lead a defensive coaching staff loaded with experience, including defensive line coaches Kent Warnock and Chris Antsey, secondary coaches Marcello Rapini and Casey Fraser, and linebacker coaches James Harris, Mike Schwieder, and Thomas Spoletini. Matt Berry, who also serves as recruiting coordinator and operations manager, returns as a defensive assistant as well.
Offensively, Ryan Sheahan returns for his second season with the program after leading the Dinos to new offensive heights in 2015. New faces on the offensive staff include Ryan Brouwers on the offensive line and Justin Chapdelaine with the receivers, joining returnees Ray Salverda (running backs) and Greg Vavra (quarterbacks).
The Dinos also welcome longtime Calgary Stampeders kicker J.T. Hay as kicking coach. Hay, who spent 10 of his 11 CFL seasons with the Stampeders before retiring in 1988, was inducted into the Stamps’ Wall of Fame in 2006.
Dinos alumnus Tom Knitter takes over as the program’s special teams coordinator.
Calgary opens training camp Saturday, Aug. 13 as they get set for the start of the regular season Sept. 1 in Winnipeg. The Dinos will play an exhibition game against Regina in Medicine Hat, Alta. on Thursday, Aug. 25, while their home opener is set for Friday, Sept. 9 against UBC.
2016 Dinos Football Staff
Head Coach: Wayne Harris, Jr. (2nd season)
Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator: Ryan Sheahan (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Tom Higgins (4th season)
Special Teams Coordinator: Tom Knitter
Recruiting Coordinator/Operations Manager: Matt Berry
Position Coaches: Ryan Brouwers (OL), Greg Vavra (QB), Ray Salverda (RB), Justin Chapdelaine (R), Matt Lambros (R), Kent Warnock (DL), Chris Antsey (DL), James Harris (LB), Mike Schwieder (LB), Thomas Spoletini (LB), Marcello Rapini (DB), Casey Fraser (DB), J.T. Kay (K/P)
Equipment Managers: John Carr, Barkley Adams
Athletic Therapist: Melissa Roth
Athletic Therapy Students: Lauren Maschio, Brodie Lefevaire
Team Doctor: Dr. Victor Lun
Video Coordinator: Tyler Langlais
Academic Coach: Dr. Cynthia Baum
Team Chaplain: Greg Frost
Director of Athletics: Christine Stapleton
Assistant Athletic Director (Communications): Ben Matchett
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