September 3, 2009
YORK LIONS FOOTBALL PREVIEW
York Lions - OUA
2008 regular season record: 0-8
2008 regular season standings: 10th OUA
2008 playoff record: N/A
2008 playoff finish: N/A
General Write-Up:
For the second time this decade head coach Mike McLean is trying to turn around a struggling football program. The man responsible for turning the Edmonton Huskies junior team from winless to national champions in just a few seasons is now trying to do the same with the York Lions.
Last season's 0-8 record reflected the struggles of the 2008 team but not all was lost. Although the scores were never close, McLean began to mould the team into something he knows can one day succeed, beginning with a collection of team-first, character players.
The offseason was spent finding a group of recruits to lead the team forward. McLean and his coaching staff followed the same practice that worked for him in Edmonton and went outside the Greater Toronto Area to find his guys for 2009. Those new players, in addition to a solid core of veterans returning from last season, make up a team that has the ability to put up some wins this season.
Quote from head coach Mike McLean:
"There has been growth and improvement throughout every play and every practice," said McLean. "Right now, the offence is further ahead than ever and the defence is playing catch-up. But we are looking for the defence to step up and be a force this season. We have a young defensive line group that is learning every day and an overhauled defensive back group that we think can be successful. Our linebacking core is definitely a strength."
Head Coach Mike McLean:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2009): 2
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2009): 2
- Career regular season record with team: 0-8
- Career regular season record in CIS: 0-8 (as head coach)
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-8
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-8
Offence
Key returning players:
OL Boris Radulovic (Scarborough, Ont.) is back for his fourth season. He gained invaluable experience at the East West Bowl in the spring and will be a leader on offence this year.
OL Patrick Assinck (Peterborough, Ont.) returns for his fifth season. An annual CIS academic all-Canadian, he has solidified the right tackle spot.
RB Ryan Rowe (Hamilton, Ont.) enters his second season with high expectations from the coaching staff. He rushed for 119 yards, an average of 3.72 per carry.
QB Nick Coutu (St. Catharines, Ont.) is in his second year. He threw for 215 yards last year.
Key recruits:
OL Austin Roy (Sudbury, Ont.)
P/K Adam Moretti (Melbourne, Australia)
Defence
Key returning players:
LB Steven Reading (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) is now in his third season. He led the Lions in tackles last year with 44, among the top 10 in the OUA.
DL Paul Fenech (Brampton, Ont.)
LB Chris Ross (Toronto)
Key recruits:
DE Jake Myers
DB Justin Kowalesky (Edmonton)
CB Keenan Redmond
2009 OUA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Guelph Gryphons
McMaster Marauders
Ottawa Gee-Gees
Queen's Gaels
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Windsor Lancers
York Lions
Source: York Lions
2008 regular season record: 0-8
2008 regular season standings: 10th OUA
2008 playoff record: N/A
2008 playoff finish: N/A
General Write-Up:
For the second time this decade head coach Mike McLean is trying to turn around a struggling football program. The man responsible for turning the Edmonton Huskies junior team from winless to national champions in just a few seasons is now trying to do the same with the York Lions.
Last season's 0-8 record reflected the struggles of the 2008 team but not all was lost. Although the scores were never close, McLean began to mould the team into something he knows can one day succeed, beginning with a collection of team-first, character players.
The offseason was spent finding a group of recruits to lead the team forward. McLean and his coaching staff followed the same practice that worked for him in Edmonton and went outside the Greater Toronto Area to find his guys for 2009. Those new players, in addition to a solid core of veterans returning from last season, make up a team that has the ability to put up some wins this season.
Quote from head coach Mike McLean:
"There has been growth and improvement throughout every play and every practice," said McLean. "Right now, the offence is further ahead than ever and the defence is playing catch-up. But we are looking for the defence to step up and be a force this season. We have a young defensive line group that is learning every day and an overhauled defensive back group that we think can be successful. Our linebacking core is definitely a strength."
Head Coach Mike McLean:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2009): 2
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2009): 2
- Career regular season record with team: 0-8
- Career regular season record in CIS: 0-8 (as head coach)
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-8
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-8
Offence
Key returning players:
OL Boris Radulovic (Scarborough, Ont.) is back for his fourth season. He gained invaluable experience at the East West Bowl in the spring and will be a leader on offence this year.
OL Patrick Assinck (Peterborough, Ont.) returns for his fifth season. An annual CIS academic all-Canadian, he has solidified the right tackle spot.
RB Ryan Rowe (Hamilton, Ont.) enters his second season with high expectations from the coaching staff. He rushed for 119 yards, an average of 3.72 per carry.
QB Nick Coutu (St. Catharines, Ont.) is in his second year. He threw for 215 yards last year.
Key recruits:
OL Austin Roy (Sudbury, Ont.)
P/K Adam Moretti (Melbourne, Australia)
Defence
Key returning players:
LB Steven Reading (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) is now in his third season. He led the Lions in tackles last year with 44, among the top 10 in the OUA.
DL Paul Fenech (Brampton, Ont.)
LB Chris Ross (Toronto)
Key recruits:
DE Jake Myers
DB Justin Kowalesky (Edmonton)
CB Keenan Redmond
2009 OUA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Guelph Gryphons
McMaster Marauders
Ottawa Gee-Gees
Queen's Gaels
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Windsor Lancers
York Lions
Source: York Lions
