FEATURED POLL
See Results
• Alma Mater: University of Manitoba
• Member of the Manitoba Bisons 1973 Churchill Bowl squad
• In 2013, enters his 38th year of Coaching
• Into his 18th year as Manitoba Bisons Head Coach (1996-2013)
• Winningest head coach in Manitoba Bisons Football history
• 21 years at Churchill High School in Winnipeg, MB
• NCCP Level 4
• Guest Coach at several professional camps during the last 18 years
• Regular season record at Manitoba (as of start of 2013 season): 70-62-1-1
• Playoff record at Manitoba (as of start of 2013 season): 9-7
• Coached Manitoba to three perfect Canada West regular season records of 8-0 in 2002, 2006 and 2007
• Five Canada West Coach of the Year awards 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 (shared award with Brian Towriss of Saskatchewan), and 2006
• 2001 CIS Coach of the Year
• 2001, 2007 Hardy Trophy Championship
• 2001, 2007 Churchill Bowl Championship
• 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2007 Canada West Regular Season Conference Titles
• 2001 Vanier Cup Finalist
• 2007 Vanier Cup Champions
Over the last 15 seasons, the Winnipeg native has been heavily involved with the Bison football program as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. In his first three seasons, he revitalized a defense that was ranked last and led them to the top rank in the Canada West conference - including the Vanier Cup run in 2001.
Prior to the Bisons, Pierre was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for three seasons with Sturgeon Creek Collegiate from 1995-97. In his tenure, the team went from zero wins to five wins and reached the final four of the Winnipeg High School Football League.
Pierre played five football seasons with the Bisons. As a rookie in 1989, he tied for most sacks in Canada West. Pierre was a starter throughout his career and was named a Canada West All-Star in 1991. Pierre earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Manitoba in 1994, and his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 1997.
Coach Urbanovich is entering his 20th year as the defensive back coach at the University of Manitoba for the 2010 season.
He has served under three head coaches since his first year in 1991 and is the longest standing coach in Bison football history.
He has coached on teams that went to the Vanier Cup in 2001, were nationally ranked in 2002, 2006 and 2007, undefeated regular seasons in 2002, 2006 and 2007 and were the CIS national champions winning the Vanier Cup in 2007.
In the 19 seasons at the University of Manitoba he has coached 17 defensive backs that have gone to the CFL as a draft choice or as a free agent.
In 2005, he was named the recipient of the Gino Fracas Award as the Most Outstanding Volunteer Coach in Canadian University Football. This award is named in honor or the late Gino Fracas who was a legendary coach at the Universities of Alberta and Windsor and recognizes outstanding career service by a volunteer assistant coach. Coach Urbanovich was the first Bison coach to receive this achievement in its 18 year history.
Coach Urbanovich is not only a highly proven and successful CIS coach but is more importantly one of Bison sports and Winnipeg sports community's most respected individuals. His loyalty and commitment to Bison football and to the sport of football are of the highest merit.
Bob Reist played for 2007 Vanier Cup Champions with Manitoba and was 2007-08 Bison Sports Male Athlete of the Year.
Bison Alumni Terry Watson joined the Bison Football coaching staff in the 2007 season and enters his fourth year with Manitoba in 2010.
He was an offensive lineman with the Herd from 2002-06.The
Watson was also a team captain in 2006 and helped led the squad to a perfect 8-0 regular season record.
The 2012 season will be Mitchell’s 16th as a coach with the Bisons, and 21st including his five years as a player. The 2012 season will also mark the ninth year Mitchell has been the Bisons Offensive Coordinator.
Mitchell’s varied coaching tenure with the Bisons has included five years as Offensive Line Coach, five years as the Running Backs Coach, nine years as Offensive Coordinator (including a Vanier Cup appearance), and three years as Run Game/Protections Coordinator (including a Vanier Cup National Championship).
Mitchell began coaching with the Bisons in 1997 as the Offensive Line Coach. In 1999, Head Coach Brian Dobie promoted Mitchell to Offensive Coordinator, and retained his position as Offensive Line Coach. In his four seasons as Offensive Coordinator, the Bisons earned a 26-5-1 regular season record, a Canada West championship and a Vanier Cup appearance in 2001. In both 2001 and 2002, the Bisons had the top ranked offence in Canada West.
Prior to the 2003 season, Mitchell relinquished the positions of Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach to become the Running Backs coach. Mitchell added the responsibilities of Protections and Run Game Coordinator in 2005, a season which saw the Bisons return to the playoffs after a two year absence. Early in 2008, Mitchell once again assumed the role of Offensive Coordinator.
Prior to coaching with the Bisons, Mitchell coached at Sturgeon Creek Collegiate between 1994 and 1996, including two seasons with current Bison Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Stan Pierre. At Sturgeon, Mitchell was the Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks, and Offensive Line coach. Mitchell also spent several off-seasons coaching with the under-19 Provincial Team, participating as a coach in the 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000 Canada Cup.
Mitchell played five football seasons with the Bisons between 1989-93. A four-year starter along the Offensive Line, Mitchell’s career included a Canada West Final appearance in 1991.
Gerry Urbanovich started with the Bison football team coaching staff in the 2012 season. A graduate of Churchill High School who played running back for the Manitoba Bisons from 1982 to 1986. He was a two-time MVP with the Bisons. Signed as a free agent with Ottawa Rough Riders in 1987. Following playing career, he coached high school football for 25 years (13 with Churchill H.S., and 12 with Kelvin H.S.)
Bison Alumni Blair Atkinson has been part of the Bison Football coaching staff since the 2007 Vanier Cup championship season.
Atkinson has had an extensive resume from his university Bison career as he then held several team records during his three seasons. He is tied for first with most receiving touchdowns in a game (3 in 2004), second in career touchdowns (12), second with the most receiving touchdowns (6 in 2005), fourth in career receiving average per catch (14.8) and seventh in career receiving yards (1143).
In 2005, he grabbed 31 receptions for 445 yards and six touchdowns for the Herd. He also played in 2005 East-West Bowl. In 2004, Atkinson had 21 catches for 345 yards and five TDs. As a rookie in 2003, Atkinson hauled in 25 passes for 353 yards and one TD.
Atkinson had been with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during 2006 (practice roster) and start of the 2007 (training camp and pre-season games).
• Presenter at Football Manitoba Coaches Clinic
• Instructor for the NCCP Coaching Program
• Certified NCCP Level 3 Coach
• In 2010, his 30th year of coaching
• 2010 University of Manitoba Defensive Line and Special Teams Coach
• 2009 Under 19 Football Manitoba Provincial Team Head Coach, Defensive Line Coach
• 2008 to 2009 Winnipeg Rifles Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator
• 2007- 2008 Under 19 Football Manitoba Provincial Team Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach
• 2006 to 2007 -Churchill High School Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach
• 1998 to 2005- University of Manitoba Defensive Line and Special Teams Coach
• 1992 to 1997- Churchill High School Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach
• 1987 to 1989 -Grant Park High School Defensive Coordinator, Special Teams
• 1983 to 1986 -Fort Rouge Packers Football Club Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator
• 1981 to 1982- Churchill High School Defensive Line Coach
John Makie joined the Bisons coaching staff after his playing career in the 2009 season as the quarterback coach. He is in his second coaching season at Manitoba in 2010.
The Bison Alumni played for the Herd from 2005-08 and was the starting quarterback and won the Bruce Coulter award for most outstanding offensive player during the victorious 2007 Vanier Cup championship for Manitoba. He led the team to perfect 8-0 regular season marks in the 2006 and 2007 season. Overall, Makie is the most accurate Bison quarterback in team history and his record as starting QB at Manitoba was a spectacular 18-4 (82% winning percentage) and 5-1 (83% winning pct.) in the playoffs in his four year Bison career.
• Played linebacker for U of M from 1977 to 1980. Conference all-star in 1979 and 1980
• Played with Montreal Alouettes in 1981
• Has coached minor football with St. Vital Mustangs from 2007 to 2009 (linebackers and defensive coordinator)
• coached linebackers and special teams with the 2009 provincial Under 19 team (Lance Glover was head coach)
• Coached linebackers with Churchill Bulldogs in 1988 and 1989 with coach Dobie
• Coached linebackers Winnipeg Hawkeyes junior team in 1983 and 1984
• Coached linebackers with Winnipeg Rifles in 2009
• Coached linebackers with Bisons from 1990 to 1992 (coached Stan Pierre)
• Certified level 2 and currently working on level 3
• Currently the Director of Sales and Marketing with B.A. Robinson (proud supporter of Bison Sports - especially football)
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
