Warren Craney, defensive co-ordinator and full-time assistant coach, has stepped down after 11 seasons with the Concordia Stingers football program.
Craney will take over as head coach of the York Lions in the Ontario University Athletics conference effective Monday, May 17.
“It was the hardest decision I ever had to make,” says Craney of leaving the Stingers. “Deciding to get married was a piece of cake compared to this. Concordia has been a big part of my life, and I’m really going to miss everyone.”
Craney has been with the Stingers for almost a decade. He has served as defensive co-ordinator and coached all three defensive units.
He is widely respected for his work with linebackers. Under his tutelage three student-athletes (Mickey Donovan 2004, Patrick Donovan 2005 and 2006, and Cory Greenwood 2009) have earned the Presidents Trophy as the outstanding defensive player in Canadian university football.
Under Craney's direction Concordia also developed a Metras Trophy winner – defensive end Troy Cunningham was named the outstanding lineman in the country in 2004.
“I’m thrilled for Warren who really deserves to be a head coach in the CIS,” said Concordia head coach Gerry McGrath. “I’m very grateful for the contribution he made to our program over the years. We are all going to miss Warren and his family.”
McGrath will announce plans to replace Craney shortly.
