York has made a bold move by revamping their football coaching staff following a challenging season. The Lions have brought in a new head coach, Dexter Janke, along with offensive coordinator Rick Walters and defensive coordinator Greg Knox. This trio brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, aiming to turn around the fortunes of the university’s football program.
Rick Walters is recognized as one of the best offensive coaches in the country. His offensive units consistently finished in the top half of the Canada West League in various statistics. Notably, in 2022, his team finished third in the nation for rushing yards per game . Walters aims to inject life into York’s dormant offense, which managed to score only 42 points and run for 1,000 yards over the entire season.
Walters aims to improve the numbers the Lions posted last season and emphasizes that the first step is to implement a new culture of family, faith, school, and football.
Walters, a Grey Cup champion with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2003, seeks to bring their winning culture and mentality to the Lions. His focus is on “ensuring a clear understanding of each player’s role.” Walters’ goal is to reach the Yates Cup which is the Ontario University Football Athletics Championship game, a testament to his high aspirations for the team.
Janke joins as the head coach after a successful tenure with the Westshore Rebels, where he led the team to an impressive 12-1 season.
Known for his defensive acumen, Janke’s teams were effective in limiting opponents and creating turnovers, which is an area where the Lions struggled significantly last season, conceding an average of 48.9 points per game.
An interesting dynamic within the new coaching staff is the long-standing relationship between Walters and Janke, both Edmonton natives. Walters mentioned that “without Coach Janke being the head coach he wouldn’t have taken the job at York.” He also added that he has known Janke since he was in high school. This pre-existing chemistry between the two is expected to translate into a cohesive and collaborative coaching approach, which is crucial for the team’s success.
The impact of the new coaching staff is already palpable among the players, who are excited to work under their new leadership. The impact of the new coaching staff is already palpable among the players, who are excited to work under their new leadership. As Walters notes: “You can see this by how many young men have come across the country to join the team.”
Coach Janke’s defensive prowess, combined with Walters’ offensive expertise, brings a balanced approach that addresses both sides of the ball.
The Lions are poised for a season of improvement and transformation. With a new culture, clear goals, and a talented coaching staff, the York Lions’ football team is looking forward to a promising future. The changes have breathed new life into the locker rooms, and the Lions are ready to roar back into contention.
