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Brian Dobie (born February 16, 1953) is the head coach for the University of Manitoba's football team, the Manitoba Bisons. His Bisons have appeared in two Vanier Cups, winning in 2007. He has won five Canada West Coach of the Year awards and was also named CIAU Coach of the Year in 2001. He is a former Canadian football wide receiver where he played for the Bisons.

Coaching career

Dobie became head coach for the Manitoba Bisons football team in 1996 after serving as head coach for Churchill High School in Winnipeg for 21 years. After taking over a team that had finished 0–8 in 1995, Dobie led the Bisons to a first place finish and Hardy Cup appearance in 2000. In 2001, the Bisons again finished in first place in Canada West, but won the Hardy Cup for the first time since 1973. The team also appeared in the Vanier Cup game for the first time since 1970, but lost the 37th Vanier Cup to the Saint Mary's Huskies.

In 2007, Dobie led the Bisons to an undefeated regular season and another first place finish. He won his second Hardy Cup after defeating the Regina Rams and after a Mitchell Bowl victory over the Western Mustangs, the Bisons appeared in the 43rd Vanier Cup. In a rematch with the Saint Mary's Huskies, Dobie led the Bisons to a 28–14 victory and he won his first national championship.

After missing the playoffs in the four seasons following their championship win, the Bisons returned to the playoffs in 2013 and lost the Hardy Cup game in 2014. With a 4–4 record in 2015, Dobie and the Bisons upset the Calgary Dinos 27–15 in the Hardy Cup game and he won his third conference championship.

The Bisons qualified for he Hardy Cup game in 2021, but the team lost to the Saskatchewan Huskies.

On August 12, 2024, Dobie announced that the 2024 season would be his last as head coach of the Bisons.

Legacy

Dobie has the most wins in Bisons football history with a record of 108–104–1 as of 2023. Including a post-season record of 13–15, his 121 wins are the 12th-most wins in U Sports history and the fourth most in Canada West. He coached Israel Idonije and David Onyemata, who both played in the National Football League, and has coached 64 student-athletes who were drafted by Canadian Football League teams. Under Dobie, Reina Ilzuka became the first female player in Bisons history and Maya Turner became the first female player to score points in a regular season game in U Sports football history.

Dobie has also been a part-time commentator for U Sports and CFL football coverage on TSN.

Personal life

Dobie resides in Winnipeg with his wife, Jackie, and they have a daughter, Caleigh.

References

1. ^ "Brian Dobie". Manitoba Bisons. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
2. ^ "Brian Dobie to retire after leading Bison football program for 29 years". Winnipeg Sun. August 12, 2024.
3. "1996 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
4. "2000 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
5. ^ "2001 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
6. "2007 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
7. "Legacy: The Brian Dobie story". Manitoba Bisons. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
8. "2014 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
9. "2015 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
10. "2015 Canada West Football" (PDF). Canada West. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
11. "Manitoba Bisons' kicker Maya Turner becomes first female player to score points in U Sports history". 3DownNation. August 26, 2022.
12. "Maya Turner: A trailblazer in U Sports football". 3DownNation. June 18, 2024.

External links

• Manitoba Bisons bio

• 1953 births
• Living people
• Manitoba Bisons football players
• Players of Canadian football from Manitoba
• Canadian football people from Winnipeg
• Manitoba Bisons football coaches