Hurricanes Football Club announces this season's coaching staff

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Hurricanes head coach Mark MacDougall at one of last year's games.

Charlottetown, PE - Holland College Hurricanes Football Club head coach Mark MacDougall today announced the team's coaching staff for its third season in the Atlantic Football League.

MacDougall, returning for his second season as head coach, said that along with offensive coordinator Ben Parsons, the longest-serving coach with the Hurricanes, several others from last year's staff will return, including linebacker coach Bernie Tierney, line coach Scott MacEwen and quarterback coach Grant Canvin. Joining the staff this year will be Matt Holzer, Marcus Dunphy and Jan Wicherek. Spero Mantzavrakos will return as strength and conditioning coach.

Holzer played junior football in Alberta following a high school career that included winning four city championships in Edmonton. He began coaching in 1991, and was involved in a number of city championships as a coach. He also coached with the Edmonton Huskies junior football team, and was a guest coach at the University of Alberta high school advancement camp. After arriving in P.E.I., Holzer coached with the Cornwall Timberwolves in 2010 and coached senior football with the Privateers in 2011 and 2012.

"Matt is an excellent coach," said MacDougall. "He has experience coaching a number of positions, and has been a coordinator and a head coach before. He will add a lot to our staff."

Former Hurricanes defensive MVP and team captain Marcus Dunphy, who completed his eligibility last season and helped lead the Hurricanes to their first-ever championship, is also joining the coaching line-up. Dunphy was scouted by the Toronto Argonauts and invited to a mini-camp with the CFL team early last May.

"Marcus is a perfect example of the kind of young man we hope our program can produce. He was a very special player and a tremendous leader. His work ethic and maturity will help him make a successful transition to coaching," MacDougall said.

Jan Wicherek will help the Hurricanes on a part-time basis this season. Jan started his playing career in the Moncton Minor Football system. He played high school football in Salisbury, New Brunswick, and then at Mount Allison University, where his career was shortened by an injury. Wicherek coached minor football in New Brunswick, and, following a move to P.E.I., he returned to the field with the P.E.I. Privateers senior football team.

"Jan has valuable skills that will be a big help for us. He will allow us to give our players more individual attention," MacDougall noted.

During the team's upcoming training camp, assistance will also be provided by visiting coaches Paul Maines and Peter Crooks. Maines played offensive tackle with the University of Tulsa, and was drafted in the third round of the 1991 CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He also played with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the now defunct Ottawa Rough Riders during his CFL career. Peter Crooks, a native of Sackville, N.B., played basketball and football for the Mount Allison Mounties.

MacDougall said that the new coaching staff will help the Hurricanes build on last year's winning season, although he regrets that Aaron MacIsaac, who coached the Hurricanes for the past two years, will not be on staff. MacIsaac moved to New Glasgow, N.S., and was recently named as an offensive line coach for the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men.

"We will all miss Aaron. In addition to being an excellent coach, he is a lot of fun to be around. He certainly poured his heart into this team, and I am sure he will do the same at St. F.X. We wish him the best," MacDougall said.

"Aaron will see at least two familiar faces at the X-Men's training camp. Hurricanes MVP Demetrius Ferguson and wide receiver A.J. Cornish will be there," he noted.

The Hurricanes will hold their training camp for returning players and prospects starting Friday, August 24. For more information, visit hollandcollege.com/football or e-mail football@hollandcollege.com. Join the Hurricanes on Facebook.

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