Crichton Trophy-winning quarterback Taylor Elgersma didn't enjoy watching Michael Folds leave Wilfrid Laurier for a Western.
The 23-year-old has been going through a lot of emotions since the news became official. Elgersma is grateful for what Fowlds has done for him and the entire Golden Hawks football program during his 13 years as head coach. However, the 2024 Team Canada player is feeling frustrated and disappointed that his former bench coach left for a rival school. He would have liked to have stayed with Laurier throughout his coaching career.
“I would definitely say that if there was a place where I would I don’t want it to go, it would be there. I definitely hate seeing it in any colors outside of Laurier colors, but definitely Western colors. It's beautiful was well aware that the top two OUA programs were constantly competing and achieving success. fought, especially during my career,” Elgersma told 3DownNation.
“It’s very sad to watch him turn into these lateral lines. Of course, I hate to see this, but I am still very confident in our program and a ton of confidence in how we're going to take care of the business next time. we see them. I'm trying to use this to motivate our team and our group more than Always.”
Elgersma learned that Folds' decision was official while the general public found out, but he had inside information about the process going on behind the scenes and knew that it was almost final a day or two in advance. As discussions continued over the holidays, Elgersma sent Faulds a text message expressing his support during the coach's final days at Wilfrid Laurier.
“We were able talk on the phone and I was able to let him know what he meant me as a coach, what it means to me as a person in my life, but also to be able to I candidly express my disappointment with this decision. He is very smart guy, very emotionally intelligent guy and he understands exactly why I feel this way way,” Elgersma said.
“He understands how much I liked it when he was on the right side. He understands me as a competitor who doesn’t want him to leave. It was a very mature conversation on our part. Wwe both understand each other very well and always go to have outstanding relationships no matter what happens in football.”
From his head coach's office at Alumni Stadium, the 42-year-old Folds told 3DownNation he understood 100 percent how upset people associated with the Golden Hawks would be, especially Elgersma. The two men formed a deep connection in London, Ontario. Native went from an unstarred rookie to an elite defender and one of the best players to ever play the position in Canadian university football.
“I love Taylor Elgersma. We are very similar. I don’t take anything personal,” Folds said.I told him that it would take me six months to get from (Kitchener-Waterloo) to London, so I would have to sit in my truck and make a lot of phone calls every day, and he will be my frequent companion on these trips.”
As much as Elgersma respects Faulds, the star QB made it clear that Laurier won't fail simply because he left the program. Proud Golden Hawks alumnus who helped coach the team through the 2025 season after impressive during training camp with the Green Bay Packersbelieves his school can remain at the top of the OUA.
“What will I say about the direction of the program, the message that is among Laurier football now: it had no culture here. The place is the culture, the players are the culture, the people are the culture. is here and the culture isn’t going anywhere,” Elgersma said.
“WWe are building something bigger than one person, and this program continues. continue to rise to new heights, they're going to save achieve success and win football matches. Anyone who thinks this will change because one person leaves doesn't think so. understand the depth, toughness and tenacity that Laurier football has and will continue to have. always had.”
It seems like the Golden Hawks could move up from within to take over the head coaching position. Ron Van Moerkerke, the team's associate head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, seems like a great candidate.
“Coach V., part.We have dedicated 30 years to this program. He was always alone the best defensive coordinators in the country. Under his leadership we have long had an outstanding defense and he understands this game so well xHe understands how to communicate with players so well,” Elgersma said.
Todd Galloway, the team's offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach and student-athlete development coach, also appears to be a strong candidate. Elgersma noted that Galloway made every offensive play count during his time with Wilfrid Laurier.
“I don't think a lot of people necessarily connect the dots of how Galloway is a team player. In Guelph in 2018 they went to the Yates Cup under cOuch Galloway is serving as interim head coach. When McMaster won the Yates Cup against Western in 2019, he played a major role in that game. misdemeanor,” Elgersma said.
“When we won in 2024, he called every game in the Yates Cup match. I don't think a lot of people realize that since Folds was on that program, how much In fact, Galloway's fingerprints were linked to our crime. HOURHe's someone who has really done an amazing job with our offense. He would be great choice to become Laurier's next head coach“
