UBC Football adds Wayne Harris to coaching staff – University of British Columbia Athletics

Football
8/26/2024 1:23:00 PM

Jeff Sargeant (UBC Communications)

VANCOUVER – As the UBC Thunderbirds embark on their quest to repeat as Hardy Cup champions, the team has enlisted the help of one of Canada’s most successful University coaches with the addition of Wayne Harris as the new UBC Football Linebackers Coach.

Winning the 2019 Vanier Cup as head coach with the University of Calgary, Harris has won a total of ten Hardy Cup championships and made six Vanier Cup appearances in his time as an assistant coach, defensive coordinator and head coach of the Dinos.

“Bringing Wayne Harris into the fold here at UBC is definitely a win for the program,” said UBC Head Coach, Blake Nill, who had Harris as both an assistant coach and defensive coordinator during his tenure as head coach of the Dinos. “You got a gentleman who’s spent his whole life in the game of football and he’s had tremendous success. What he can bring to UBC really can’t be underestimated. Specifically, right now, Wayne is going to add to a strong defensive room led by Coach Pat Tracey, Noah Cantor and Shomari Williams and I think it’s a difference maker for us. It’s going to give us a new look with new insight that may help us with some of our opponents.”

A two-sport athlete at the University of Calgary from 1977 to 1981, Harris was a three-time Canada West All-Star at linebacker. He went on to play for four seasons in the CFL for the BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts.

“Wayne’s going to oversee our linebackers which is going to help tremendously as he’ll be in that positional group and involved directly with the defensive line and the secondary,” Nill added. “So, you’ll see his input throughout the defence. What I’m most excited about is it gives (Defensive Coordinator) Pat Tracey another set of eyes and another career worth of experience to offer. I really believe it’s a strong addition to the program.”

The Thunderbirds officially begin their campaign to win a second consecutive Canada West championship for the first time in 37 years when they host the Alberta Golden Bears this Friday, August 30 at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. and tickets are available now!