Bob Howes and Greg DeLaval will lead the 2008 Varsity Blues football program. Liz Hoffman, the University of Toronto’s Director of Athletics, today announced the interim football staff for the upcoming season, with Howes serving as Director of Football and DeLaval as head football coach.

Under the interim model, Howes will guide the overall direction of the football program and DeLaval will oversee the on-field team operations and recruiting, reporting to Howes.

A national search for a full-time head coach will begin in October 2008.

“I’m just thrilled that Bob agreed to come on board as the Director of Football,” said Hoffman. “He brings such sheer football wisdom and invaluable experience to the table. His strong leadership and underlying knowledge of the Blues football program will be a tremendous resource as he guides the team through the 2008 season.”

Hoffman is also excited about DeLaval’s return to U of T. “Greg was a strong, positive influence on the team in his previous time with the Blues. He has extensive CIS coaching experience and knows our players well, having recruited a number of them. I know that both Bob and Greg will be huge assets to our football program.”

Howes and DeLaval previously coached side-by-side on the Blues staff in 2003 and 2004.

Howes, an offensive line and defensive assistant with U of T in 2003 and 2004, has a quarter-century of CIS coaching experience under his belt. The Thornhill native was the head coach of the Queen’s Golden Gaels from 1995 to 1999 and a two-time OQIFC Coach of the Year. Howes played on the offensive line with the CFL’s BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos from 1968 to 1981, and has five Grey Cup rings as a member of the Eskimos dynasty of the late-70s and early-80s. In his university days, he played at Queen’s on the offensive line.

“This struck me as a great opportunity to help further the rebuilding process of one of North America’s oldest football teams,” said Howes. “There’s a rich tradition here, an outstanding spirit among the veteran players, and a beautiful new stadium. I’m looking forward to this season. Appointing Greg DeLaval as interim head coach gives the Blues the best chance for success in the 2008 season.”

DeLaval previously served as the Blues full-time assistant during the 2003 through 2005 seasons, coaching special teams and receivers. He has spent the past two CIS seasons as the special teams coordinator and offensive assistant of the Calgary Dinosaurs. DeLaval played with the St. Francis Xavier X-Men, starting at wide receiver in St. FX’s 1996 Vanier Cup appearance and serving as team captain three times. He returned to his alma mater as assistant head football coach for 2001 and 2002. DeLaval has co-ordinated recruiting at St. FX, Toronto and Calgary, and recruited the core of the current Varsity Blues veterans.

“I’m excited to be back with U of T football,” said DeLaval. “There’s a strong commitment to revitalizing football at this school, and I look forward to helping return this team to its former glory.”

Dan Feraday, an executive member of the U of T Friends of Football, enthusiastically welcomed the interim appointments. “It is a positive step in the right direction. Bob’s football history speaks volumes to his leadership and ability to find success.” Feraday, a former Yates Cup winning assistant coach, and recipient of the 1981 Hec Crighton Trophy as most outstanding player in CIS football, noted he had coached with Howes and DeLaval in 2003. “I feel that together they stabilize our current situation with the abilities they bring and very importantly, with their familiarity with all facets of our current program: current players, current assistant coaches, current athletics administration and alumni.”

Returning veteran and team captain Mark Stinson has high hopes for the new leadership. “Both individuals are excellent choices and are very qualified. I came to U of T because of Greg DeLaval and I’m excited that I now have the opportunity to play for him, especially under the leadership of Bob Howes. I believe the two of them will make this transition a lot easier. They know most of the players, they know the program, and more importantly, they know the tradition. It will be a pleasure and an honour to play for them.”

Established in its current form in 1877, the Varsity Blues football program marked its 130th anniversary in 2007 with the opening of the new Varsity Centre, a state-of-the art, 5,000-seat stadium on the site of the historic Varsity Stadium. In 131 years, the Blues have won eight national championships (1895, 1905, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1920, 1965, 1993), and since the establishment of intercollegiate play in 1898 have won 25 Yates Cup conference championships.

Howes and DeLaval will renew acquaintances with Varsity alumni and friends at the annual Friends of Football Golf Tournament on Tuesday, August 5th at Glencairn Golf Club in Milton. For ticket information, call Bonnie Shepherd at 416-978-6944.

The Varsity Blues open their training camp on August 18th and kick off the regular season on Monday, September 1st when they host the Waterloo Warriors at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.varsityblues.ca or call Ticket Break at 1-866-9-GET-TIX.

2008 Varsity Blues Football Schedule
Sept. 1 - Waterloo at Toronto - 7:00 pm
Sept. 6 - Toronto at Windsor - 1:00 pm
Sept. 13 - York at Toronto - 1:00 pm – Red and Blue Bowl for the Argo Cup
Sept. 20 - Queen’s at Toronto - 1:00 pm – Shrine Game
Sept. 27 - Toronto at Guelph - 1:00 pm
Oct. 3 - Toronto at McMaster - 7:00 pm
Oct. 9 - Western at Toronto - 7:00 pm
Oct. 18 - Toronto at Ottawa - 1:00 pm