Blake Nill, BA 89 | Photo: Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds
Concordia graduate Blake Nill, BA 89, has taken the top job at the UBC (University of British Columbia) Thunderbirds football program.
He’s heading to the westcoast after nine years as head coach of the University of Calgary and eight years as head coach at Saint Mary's University in Halifax.
Described as one of the most successful football coaches in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), Nill has a career record (regular season and playoffs) of 130-47.
"I made the move to UBC because I was ready for a new experience and I love to build programs,” says Nill. “I'm going to need some time, but the building blocks are in sight at UBC and I am very excited about the program's future."
Over the last nine years, Nill led the University of Calgary Dinos to three Vanier Cup appearances and a record six straight Hardy Cup Championships as the Canada West's top team. From 2007 to 2014, 23 Dinos players were drafted by the Canadian Football League, eight in the first round.In eight years with the Saint Mary's University Huskies, Nill led them to a record six-straight Atlantic University Sport Championships, four trips to the Vanier Cup and two Vanier Cup Championships.
Nill won the Frank Tindall Trophy as CIS Coach of the Year in 1999 and was a finalist in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2012 and 2013. He was named Canada West coach of the year in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
A native of Hanna, Alta., Nill played in the CFL from 1983-88 with Montreal, Hamilton, and Winnipeg after being drafted 19th overall. He begins his new position in January.