SYDNEY, N.S. — Cape Breton Capers men’s soccer coach Deano Morley says he hasn’t been approached by Edmonton FC regarding the club’s vacant head coach position.
Morley has been the subject of rumours recently as a candidate to replace FC’s outgoing coach, Jeff Paulus, who stepped down from his position with the Canadian Premier League team last month.
“I think the chatter is a nice recognition of the work and results the coaching staff at Cape Breton University have achieved,” said Morley. “Edmonton have not called me yet, so it’s just chatter.”
There’s no surprise the 40-year-old’s name is being mentioned for a professional coaching position.
Since becoming the head coach of the men’s soccer program in 2014, Morley has guided the Capers to a 56-7-11 record in the Atlantic University Sport.
The team hasn’t lost a game in the AUS regular season since 2016 and has won the league title the past four years.
Morley, a native of Nottingham, England, also helped the men’s program capture its first U Sports national championship in 2017, while also winning a silver medal in 2018 and a bronze medal in 2019.
Morley, who now resides in Howie Centre, is a three-time AUS coach of the year as well as a two-time U Sports coach of the year, the most recent coming in 2018.
“We’re great at what we do,” said Morley. “We have fantastic education and I truly believe we’re one of the best and most professional men’s soccer programs in North America.”
Over the past two years, the program has had nine players drafted in the CPL-U Sports Draft including Peter Schaale and 2019 first overall pick Cory Bent, both of whom suited up for the Halifax Wanderers FC last season.
“It’s important that the quality of the U Sports players and coaches is being recognized,” said Morley. “I believe in the excellent education and football development that U Sports offers young players and there’s brilliant coaches and great programs as well.”
With the 2020 season being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morley has turned his focus to the 2021 soccer campaign. He said the rumours haven’t changed his approach moving forward.
“My goals and focus remain the same,” said Morley. “We want to come out of the pandemic stronger and we want to make sure that we’re a national powerhouse again in 2021 and onwards.”
When asked if he would consider the Edmonton position if approached by the team, Morley, a married father of one child, said he would listen to offers.
“I love Cape Breton. I love my job. I love my team and I’m focused on that,” he said. “The phone has not rung, I don’t anticipate the phone ringing, and for now I’m absolutely focused on my short-term and long-term goals in this beautiful community.
“I think it would take something unbelievable to drag me away from Cape Breton because I love the island and I’m very proud to represent it.”
Other U Sports coaches mentioned as potential candidates for Edmonton include IIya Orlov of the University of Toronto, Mike Mosher of the University of British Columbia, Mike Shearon of Trinity Western University, Mike Anderson of the University of Alberta, and Pat Raimondo of Université de Montréal.
As for the CPL, no information has been announced yet regarding the league’s U Sports draft or plans for the 2021 season.
