Waterloo, Ont - The Waterloo Warriors football program is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kevin MacNeill to the role of Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Recruiting Coordinator.
MacNeill comes to Waterloo with a championship pedigree, as he's been on staff for six Yates Cup championship teams and two Vanier Cup national champions. The London native is coming off a five-year stint with the powerhouse Western Mustangs, where he helped the 'Stangs win three straight Yates Cups as the Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator.
"I'm very excited to be joining Coach Bertoia, the Warriors football staff, athletic department and the Warrior campus community," said MacNeill. "I'm looking forward to working with these amazing student-athletes and ensuring they have an incredible student-athlete experience, and winning is a part of that experience."
According to Head Coach Chris Bertoia, MacNeill's experience and success at the U SPORTS level made him an attractive candidate for the role. Additionally, Bertoia said that MacNeill's knowledge in recruitment and scouting speaks for itself.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to work with Kevin MacNeill, he is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff and athletic department," said Bertoia. "Coach MacNeill has built a great reputation as a recruiter throughout his career, his talent identification and relationship-building skills are major strengths."
Before his time at Western, MacNeill was the primary architect of the dominant Guelph Gryphons defense of the early 2010s. Under MacNeill's stewardship as Defensive Coordinator from 2010-2015, Guelph's defensive unit was amongst the best in the nation, helping lead the Gryphons to a Yates Cup title in 2015. MacNeill also has experience at the helm of a U SPORTS program, leading the Gryphons as their Head Coach from 2016-18.
MacNeill has a reputation as a personable and tireless recruiter, and he's excited to start promoting the Warriors football program to prospective student-athletes. The veteran recruiter knows the importance of the entire student-athlete experience, and thinks that Waterloo offers some unique edges – both in the classroom, and within the football program.
"Recruiting here excites me," said MacNeill. "Our elite academic reputation along with our co-op options provide great opportunities for future Warriors. I see it as our competitive advantage. Waterloo Athletics also has some of the top facilities in Canada that will make the student-athlete experience fulfilling by providing top tier training and support. I look forward to utilizing these facilities to develop our student-athletes."
MacNeill is no stranger to the Waterloo region, as he was a two-time OUA all-star and second-team All-Canadian with the Laurier Golden Hawks during his playing days. He was also on staff for Laurier's 2005 Vanier Cup title team, before a two-year stint coaching with the UBC Thunderbirds. His experience also stretches to the international game, having served as a positional coach and Defensive Coordinator for Canada's national U-19 team.
"Kevin MacNeill has a proven track record of coaching winners," said Bertoia. "His experiences in those winning cultures will help to reinforce the culture we've established here and expedite our programs ascension in the OUA and beyond."
MacNeill will begin in his new role with the Warriors effective immediately.
