SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Holland College Hurricanes Football Club has filled two important coaching positions.
Hurricanes president Mike O’Grady announced on Thursday that Stephen Letner will take over as head coach, and Summerside native Owen MacWilliams will assume the duties of assistant head coach.
“As the Hurricanes enter their 10th anniversary in the Atlantic Football League (AFL), it is reassuring to see coaches like Steve Letner and Owen MacWilliams giving back to the game,” said O’Grady. “The Holland College football program is in good hands.”
Familiar face
Letner is no stranger to the Hurricanes. He has been an assistant coach with the team for the last five years, and has almost 15 years of coaching experience.
A native of Ohio, Letner grew up in the heartland of American football, and he has brought an unmatched passion for the game with him to P.E.I. Dedicated to growing the sport here, Letner led the provincial under-16 football team to a stunning upset victory in the Atlantic Bowl last year, defeating the previously-unbeaten Nova Scotia squad.
Former player
In addition to being assistant head coach, MacWilliams will work with the offensive line and share co-ordinating duties. MacWilliams, a graduate of Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside, played with the Hurricanes for four years, and with St. Francis Xavier and Acadia Axemen in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) league, and Laurier University in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference.
Letner is in his first year of Holland College’s sport and leisure management program after being in the workforce for several years. He said the goal of the coaching staff isn’t just to win back the Moosehead Cup.
“We want to prepare our players for life beyond Holland College, whether to pursue their educational and life goals, or to continue to play football at a higher level,” he said.
Letner takes over from Ross Young, who stepped down at the end of last season.
“We want to thank Ross for his time and energy — he took on the big challenge of head coach when the program needed him,” commented O’Grady.
