Greg Marshall has announced his resignation as head coach of Western University.
The 66-year-old has spent the last 18 years with the Mustangs, winning two Vanier Cups, nine Yates Cups, six David “Tuffy” Knight OUA Coach of the Year awards and two U Sports Coach of the Year awards.
“I love what I do, but now is the right time for me,” Marshall said in a statement. “I'll have the opportunity to say goodbye and support the team through a period of transition before ending this chapter. I want to make sure I leave the Mustangs in a good position.”
Marshall played for Western from 1978 to 1981 under head coach Darwin Semotiuk, helping the team win three provincial titles. He was a two-time OUA All-Star, Yates Cup MVP in 1980 and won the Hec Crighton Trophy that year.
Native of Guelph, Ontario. played three seasons for the Edmonton football team and won the Gray Cup in 1982, although his career was cut short by a knee injury. He returned to Western as a volunteer coach in 1985 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1992, a position he held for five seasons.
“Greg's energy and passion for the game is like no other, but what makes him so special is how much he truly cares about us,” said Sports and Recreation Director Christine Stapleton.
“The hours he puts into planning and preparation are matched only by how much he cares about his student-athletes, coaches and support staff. He truly bleeds through and we are so grateful for all he has done for the program, our department and the university community.”
In 1997, Marshall became head coach of the McMaster Marauders and won the Yates Cup four times in a row. In 2004, he was hired as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and spent three seasons with the team, compiling a 14-25-1 record with one playoff appearance. He was the first Canadian native and first U Sports coach to be named directly to a head coaching position in the CFL and was named the league's Coach of the Year in 2004.
“When you first start coaching, you think it’s all about winning,” Marshall said. “Part of your growth as a coach is realizing there's more to it than that. It's about creating a culture of caring, looking out for people, being respectful and inclusive. Winning comes when you create that environment.”
“I always tell my players: 'You will win matches, you will lose matches, and soon you will realize that it is just a game. It's a sport,' but what's great is that you develop great friendships through your connection to the sport. That's the most important thing.”
As a player and coach, Marshall won four Vanier Cups, 23 Yates Cups, three U Sports Coach of the Year awards, seven OUA Coach of the Year awards, one Gray Cup, one CFL Coach of the Year award and one Heck Crichton Trophy.
“As head coach for nearly two decades, Greg has had a tremendous impact on Mustang football,” said Western University President Alan Shepard. “In addition to his dedication and love of winning, he demonstrates incredible leadership on and off the field—our sincere thanks for his deep commitment to Western.”
Marshall will remain head coach until his replacement is named and plans to support the team through the transition period. He and his wife Joan plan to travel and spend a lot of time with their children and grandchildren.
