In a change of pace from the Gaiter Profile which has focused on athletes from an array of sports around Bishop’s, I decided it was time to give some attention to the coaches that help these students reach their sporting potentials. With the 2010 Canadian Football League Evaluation Camp having come and gone, I thought it was time to sit down with the head coach of the football program, Leroy Blugh, and find out what his secrets are in producing these BU athletes that are dominating the CFL combine. Many BU students only see the serious, intense Coach Blugh that paces the sidelines on game days, but if you ever have the opportunity to sit down with the ex-BU and CFL standout, you’ll experience a very engaging and funny guy, full of personality.
Most Bishop’s students and faculty know that Blugh enjoyed a decorated career at Bishop’s which resulted in him being selected 7th overall in the 1988 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos. He went on to play fifteen seasons professionally, the majority of which with the Eskimos where he received the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1996, two all-star selections and a Grey Cup in 1993.
Blugh has been the head coach at Bishop’s since 2005, and I wanted to know why he chose to return to his alma mater instead of trying his hand at a CFL coaching position.
“I knew when I was done with my playing career that I wanted to be an educator. I started teaching at a high school in Ontario and discovered that educating and coaching was something I definitely wanted to do,” expressed Blugh. Blugh acknowledged his inexperience within the coaching world, saying, “It’s challenging; it’s a world I’d never seen from this side of the desk. I’d been a player for years but never seen how the coaching side of the game works within.”
With his path back to Bishop’s out of the way, I wanted to focus my attention on his players and his coaching techniques that have led to recent success for several current and former BU players at the CFL level.
I asked him to talk about the three players [Shawn Gore, Nick Poloniato and Steven Turner] who recently showed their skills at the combine, to try to give me some insight into his secrets that have allowed these players and recent Gaiters to dominate the testing.
“Shawn, Turner and Nick are what we call ‘bluechip’ guys. They are focused, dedicated players that we gave guidance and tools to work with, but ultimately, it was their hard work and commitment that made them successful. You only have to tell these guys something once and they do it. I try to pass on my experience as a former player who’s been in the same situation and make sure their focused. Not everyone [other schools, players] may be putting the same importance on specific testing for combine drills as we emphasize,” said Coach Blugh.
Speaking about each player individually, Blugh stated that “Shawn is the poster child for our program: he’s a great student, he has a great work ethic and his versatility on the field makes him a great player. Turner is dangerous anytime he touches the ball. If the defense slips up, he’ll score on you. Not only is Steven a great football player, he’s a great kid overall. Nick is versatile as well. He can contribute on both sides of the ball, and can play anywhere in the defensive secondary. I never have to worry about Nick’s work ethic; he’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve had.”
With former Gaiters Dan McCullough, Jamall Lee, James Yurichuk and Kyle Jones seamlessly transitioning into CFL positions the last few years and more on the way, I wanted to know if it was fair to call BU a breeding ground for CFL players.
“When I took the job, we decided this was no longer going to be a place for everyone to play football. We made a decision to go after the best players and talent available. We look to bring in bluechip players every year because we have to sustain our program when these guys leave early just as they’re becoming dominant players for our team and in the league,” said Blugh. “We look to bring in the best players we can and develop them to be the best they can.”
Adding on to the previous question, I asked coach Blugh if he can tell from the beginning which players have the best chance at playing at the next level.
“Yeah, pretty much. I call them ‘alwaysisms.’ If a player enters our program with a goal in mind of playing at the next level and you can tell he’s already made a commitment to training and shaping his body, diet, speed and understanding of the game, it’s these players that have the best chance to go pro. If a player has the ‘alwaysisms,’ he’s well on his way,” he said.
If you pass by Coulter Field you can see that the players have already begun training and practicing for next season, so I wanted to get a forecast of sorts from coach Blugh, a run down of what he expects for the 2010 campaign. He began by pointing out a lot is still uncertain in terms of his roster because of the current players that participated in the various CFL evaluation camps.
“Yeah, we’re hopeful we’ll have most of them back. There’s a potential to lose 7 or 8 guys, but we hope to have the majority back. The guys need to realize it’s not over for them if they come back for another season at BU. They can get better and still have a chance at the CFL. It’s important for the guys to maintain their eligibility by doing well in class, but I’m not worried because our guys are level headed and can deal with all the attention their receiving right now,” he said.
I asked him to look into the future and provide me with a list of names to look for at next year’s combine that will have the chance to continue the successful run for BU.
“Junior Turner, Kenrick Ritchie, Kyle Exumé, Jermaine Lewis-Parris and others are waiting in the wings and have the chance to come up the ranks.”
To finish the interview I wanted to know if there was one thing coach Blugh told his players as the key to making it to the next level.
“Physical stuff is a given. Everybody is an athlete at the next level. The playing field is equal but the key is the mental side of the game. Understanding the game, the x’s and o’s, will give a player the advantage to succeed as a professional.”
