Last season: 5th
Coaches Poll for 2015: 7th
It’s no secret that SFU’s football program has been in a state of flux the past couple of years. From Dave Johnson’s dismissal in 2013 to Jacques Chapdelaine’s sudden resignation the following year, the football team has gone through two offseasons with no head coach, and no direction. However, new head coach Kelly Bates is determined to change all that.
“I am committed,” said Bates. “I’ve laid out a four year plan, and if the administration sees fit to allow me to carry [it out], I am here for four years and beyond. Make no ends about it, I treat this as professional football. If we don’t create an atmosphere that is conducive to a great student athlete experience, they won’t allow me to be here that long.”
Coach Bates recognizes that building a stable, successful program won’t happen overnight. “To build stability you need a solid foundation,” remarked Bates. “There’s been a lot of turnover the past three years — not just the head coach but the coaching staffs in general. To create a foundation that’s stable, you need to create long lasting relationships with your players and your student athletes, and to do that you need to have the same coaching staff.”
The Clan have recruited 20 new players into this years team, including defensive standout Jake Tumblin and running backs David Lagou and Nathan Kyeame. “[Jake] has shown some promise. Great work ethic, and very coachable. . . [David] is a local kid who is speedy, fast, strong, tough, and Nathan has shown tremendous promise. Those three guys really stick out to me right off the bat.”
This year’s coaching staff features a wealth of experience for Bates to call upon. New offensive coordinator Joe Paopao is extremely experienced, having served as the head coach for the BC Lions and the now defunct Ottawa Renegades, and having been the offensive coordinator for multiple CFL teams. Jaime Hill, the new defensive coordinator, spent two years in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers as the secondary coordinator, as well as with Calgary Stampeders and the Ottawa Renegades.
“The great thing about both my coordinators is that they have a vast amount of experience,” said Bates. “Jaime’s familiarity with the American game and what he has to do in terms of his players gives us a distinct advantage.
“Joe has more experience in his left pinky than most of us do in our entire body. [He] is a living legend. . . he commands the respect of the people around him, and our student-athletes feel that and know that. He’s always trying to get better.”
Both coaches will have their work cut out for them. SFU’s scoring offense was the worst in the GNAC conference last year, only scoring an average of 21 points per game. Their defence wasn’t much better, giving up an average of 36.5 points per game and 447 yards per game, near the bottom for both categories.
Coach Bates is taking a patient approach with his program and isn’t judging his team in the early going solely by wins and losses.
“We always want to win, that’s why we compete. . . but I think it’s important we understand that this is a building process. I believe my veterans have bought into that, and understand that this year is their last opportunity to leave their legacy on this program.”
“It’s more important to respect the process, and create a proper process going forward to build the program, as opposed to measuring our success right off the bat with quick wins.”
The process begins for SFU in Monmouth, Oregon on September 12 when they take on the Western Oregon Wolves. Their first home game will be a week later, when they face Azusa Pacific University at Swangard Stadium.
