The 2015 season for the Sudbury Varsity Gladiators is in jeopardy, and it has nothing to do with the availability of on-field talent. The issue lies in finding a qualified head coach.
Reg Bonin, who took over for Brent Richer following the 2013 campaign, has indicated to Gladiators president Marc Pilon that he will not be in a position to return for a second summer.
And while Pilon is disappointed, he understands the challenges facing those who step up to the plate.
“The biggest challenge in Sudbury, right now, is a limited coaching pool,” noted Pilon. “Most of our coaches are also high school coaches.
“They are busy from the end of August until maybe the end of November with their high school teams. And we turnaround and start in April, right through to the end of July, maybe August. They don’t get much of a break.
“The coaches who have helped us out have been fantastic, but you do have to make a choice — do I do fall football, or do I do spring summer football? It’s a big demand on them to do both.”
While there have been a small number of enquiries from some younger, up-and-coming coaches, Pilon would prefer to have the stability of experience at the top of the club’s coaching pyramid.
“We would like to groom the younger coaches first,” he said. “It’s tough for them to know how exactly to work with kids that are only a little younger than they are. How can I gain their respect, even though I don’t have a track record of success?”
In addition, it would be ideal if the head coach has achieved Level 2 certification. The challenge in Sudbury is magnified by the lack of a nearby university football program.
“Most of the teams down south have Canadian Interuniversity Sport coaches,” stated Pilon. “They like to have a chance to work with players that they might recruit.”
The timeline to rectify the situation is limited, with the Ontario Football Conference needing a firm commitment within the next three to four weeks.
“If it folds, I think it will hurt the quality of football in Sudbury,” said Pilon.
Anyone who is interested in applying to coach, or is seeking further information, is asked to visit the club website at www.sudburygladiators.com and forward an email.
Pilon said he would be more than happy to talk with anyone who is able to help.
