University of Manitoba head coach, Brian Dobie has decided to retire after the 2024 U Sports football season.
This year marks his 29th and final season as Bisons bench boss and 50th coaching. He previously led the Churchill High School football program for 21 years.
“This was my dream job, a position that I’d wanted my whole adult and professional life,” Dobie said in a statement. “The Bison Football program has become our family, a family that my wife and I have embraced, loved and cherished and a home where our daughter grew up.”
Dobie retires as the winningest coach in Bisons’ football history, including a Vanier Cup championship in 2007. His Canada West regular season record sits at 107-104-1 and post-season record 13-15. Dobie’s 120 wins are fourth all-time in Canada West history and rank 12th all-time in U Sports. He has won five Canada West Coach of the Year awards (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) while being named U Sports Coach of the Year in 2001.
Dobie has been a part of five Canada West conference regular season titles, including three undefeated regular seasons (2002, 2006, 2007) and three Hardy Cup Championships (2001, 2007, 2014). He helped produce 87 different players who were selected as Canada West Conference all-stars, 51 different U Sports All-Canadians as well as 14 U Sports major award winners.
Dobie has coached 63 student-athletes drafted by CFL teams and two athletes made it to NFL teams, defensive linemen Israel Idonije and David Onyemata. The 71-year-old was inducted into the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2015 as a builder.
Dobie’s greatest joy over the past 50 years has been working alongside thousands of players. “I had the absolute honour to share this wonderful lifelong experience. How fortunate I’ve been to go to work every day surrounded by a hundred young student-athletes who are motivated, driven and enthusiastic as they pursue their academic and athletic goals.”
The Winnipeg native is excited to spend retirement with his wife Jackie. “The person who has always been there through the tough times and the best times. She has been the anchor for our family and we are both so looking forward to sharing our next adventures.”
Director of Athletics, Gene Muller said: “Brian Dobie has been the heartbeat of Bison Football for decades. His energy and infectious enthusiasm have inspired our student-athletes, staff and the University of Manitoba community. His unwavering love for the program and genuine care for ‘his guys’ have left an indelible mark on the Bison football program. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and leadership over the years.”
Muller stated Dobie has achieved “legendary Bisons status.”
The formal search and recruitment process for the next Bisons head coach will begin in September. The 2024 U Sports football regular season concludes on Saturday, Oct. 26. The University of Manitoba’s goal is for a new head coach to begin in December.
