Gerry McGrath, head coach of the Concordia Stingers, has been named the Quebec University Football League's Coach of the Year for the 2006 season.
McGrath, who was selected by a panel of print media, head coaches and athletic directors, will be the QUFL's nominee for the Frank Tindall Trophy presented to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's Coach of the Year during Vanier Cup festivities in Saskatoon next week.
McGrath directed the Stingers to a 6-2 regular season win-loss record. With a preseason win over Queen's University, a semifinal win over the Université de Montréal and last Saturday's tough loss in the Dunsmore Cup, Concordia had an 8-3 record overall.
The Stingers were not ranked in the CIS pre-season Top 10 poll but moved into the prestigious rankings in the second week of play and stayed there for the duration of the season, finishing the regular season ranked sixth in the country.
McGrath took over the reins of the Concordia Stingers in the 2000 football season after serving as offensive coordinator for eight years. McGrath, a kicker, played in the Canadian Football League from 1980-'86 with the Montreal Alouettes and Concordes, Toronto, Ottawa and Saskatchewan.
Upon retirement from the CFL, McGrath embarked on a coaching career with Montreal-area junior and semi-professional teams. He has proven to be adept at developing a pro style offence, while the Stinger defensive units are consistently among the best in the CIS.
His lifetime record as a head coach in regular season play is 36-20 and he boasts a 39-26 record overall.
