Longtime CFL player and assistant coach Winston October has been hired by his alma mater at the University of Richmond to coach the football team’s receivers.
“We are excited to welcome back Winston October to the team,” said head coach Russ Huesman in a press release. “He is a true Spider and knows what it means to be a part of this program. His experiences both as a player and a coach at the collegiate and professional levels will help our student-athletes immediately.”
“It is a great time to be a Spider,” October said. “I am honoured to be an addition to Coach Huesman’s staff. I look forward to doing my part in helping the current and future student-athletes be successful on and off the football field. Back in the web at the University of Richmond and it doesn’t get any better.”
October most recently served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach with the Edmonton Elks (2020-21) though he was not retained by Chris Jones, the club’s new head coach and general manager. He previously served as the receivers coach with the Ottawa Redblacks (2018-19).
The 45-year-old broke into coaching at the Virginia Military Institute where he coached the defensive backs and receivers over a period of seven years (2007-13). He then moved on to William & Mary where he coached the receivers for four seasons (2014-17).
October played in the CFL for six seasons as a member of the Montreal Alouettes (1999-2000) and Edmonton Elks (2001-04).
He played on all three sides of the ball, catching 29 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown and returning 432 punts and 192 kickoffs for a combined 8,359 yards and six touchdowns over 92 career games. He also made 47 tackles, three knockdowns, two forced fumbles, and one interception as a defensive back.
