'Father figure' resigns as Warriors' coach

McPhee leads his Warriors (Photo: Waterloo Region Record)

Having taken admirable care of his football family, Dennis McPhee has decided to turn his focus on the one closer to home – as he officially resigned as Head Coach of the Waterloo Warriors this past Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with CTV’s southwestern Ontario affiliate, McPhee explained that he “wanted to step back a little bit and be with my own children for a while.”

Having been at the helm of Warriors' football for the past five seasons, the now ex-coach commented that “those kids at Waterloo, they’ll never be out of my mind.”

“I just want the kids to know that I’ve been thinking about them and I trust the staff,” said McPhee.

University of Waterloo Athletic Director Bob Copeland stated in a press release, posted on the school’s website, that a ‘leadership plan’ for the program will be determined in the next 10-14 days. Assistant Coaches Joe Paopao, Marshall Bingeman and Kani Kauahi will return next season.

While his coaching record at Waterloo stood at 7-25 (having endured a 0-8 season this past campaign), McPhee will most be remembered (and credited) for keeping the school’s football program afloat after the school-imposed decision to suspend the team for all of 2010. With many players having graduated or transferred to other programs, the coach was still able to field a squad this year – albeit with 36 freshmen on the 47-man roster.

When reached by SSN, Warrior all-star receiver Dustin Zender was quick to praise his former mentor.

“Obviously he’s shown great character in staying with the program, not to mention trying to get [the team] through an experience not many other coaches have been through,” reflected Zender, who played under McPhee for four years.

Summarizing the contribution McPhee had on the program, Zender explained the effort his coach made in trying “to show [the team] the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“He did a great job in leading the boys back on the field,” said Zender, adding, “Coach always tried to keep an open-door policy and be a father-figure for us as well.

“He always cared about the individual … He didn’t really care, moreso, about the whole political structure of things. He cares about the kids and he always acted that way.”

Having found out about the news in between one of his classes, the now-graduated receiver reflected on some of his personal favourite ‘Coach McPhee Moments’ – with the man’s pre-game speeches being at the forefront.

“He likes to tell the story of the Alamo a lot. I think I’ve heard that story about 20 times while I was at Waterloo,” said Zender, chuckling.

“They’re inspiring, motivating and really funny too – so it’s definitely one thing I’m going to remember of him.”

“It’s tough to see him go ... He’s going to be missed by everyone,” he added.

“Whatever he does next, I wish him the best of luck.”

Getting over the hump

McMaster receiver Mike DiCroce

For all the praise and analysis that McMaster Marauders receiver Mike DiCroce had for his teammates and opponent leading up to the team’s OUA semi-final (redux?) against the Queen’s Gaels (4:30pm, The Score), you get a sense that he could have summarized it all into a couple of words.

It’s time.

You see, the Marauders are carrying a load on their shoulders – and DiCroce is one to call it the ‘semi-final hump’. Having made it to within one game of a Yates Cup appearance in three of the last six seasons (including the last two years), the country’s leading receiver commented how “we really want to shake this monkey off our back.”

For all the success they’ve had in 2011 (posting a 7-1 record and earning a first-round bye), the team believes it’s of Yates Cup calibre - if not more. It’s all been said before though.

“We need to not talk about it anymore and lead with our actions,” said DiCroce, who led the nation with 908 receiving yards on 48 receptions.

Asked to compare last year’s Queen’s squad to the version they will face this afternoon, it’s obviously the Gaels’ defence that stands out for the Mac pass-catcher.

“Last year, they had so many injuries on their defence… that we could pick our poison and go after their weaknesses,” he explained, adding, “This year, with everyone healthy - and their [defensive] line being so disruptive - it’ll come down to that line of scrimmage.”

“They’ve been riding that kind of Cover-4 defence and giving up the holes ... here and there – so hopefully we’re going to attack those zones and just try to march the ball each and every time and not get stuck in that second-and-long [situation].”

While DiCroce admitted that there’s “a lot of pressure for us this week to come out flying [after the bye week]”, this wouldn’t be the first time the team has had to rally together to pull through a stressful situation.

Having lost potential Hec Crighton winner Kyle Quinlan to a three-game suspension in Week #3, the Marauders had to stay calm with Marshall Ferguson at quarterback until Week #6. And that they did.

“Both those quarterbacks can play at a high level and, with Marshall coming in, we knew we’d be comfortable - no matter who was playing [quarterback].

“We had to rally together … and we knew we wanted to win those games for Kyle.”

Now they’re looking to rally for their school and make it back to compete for a championship – and they at least know what it will take to do it.

“We cannot shoot ourselves in the foot and make mistakes that we’ve made in the past,” said DiCroce.

“Going forward, we believe we can compete with any team in the country – so hopefully we’ll [get a chance to] do that.”