One last ride

The following was published on gobisons.ca September 9, 2024

It’s the middle of August, and the Bisons football team has just finished their first day of on-field sessions during training camp. Shortly afterwards, the team’s called into the meeting room at Princess Auto Stadium, where 29-year head coach Brian Dobie [BPE/74, CertEd/75], is set to deliver a message.
 
Anyone who knows Dobie, knows he’s not short on words. The ultimate motivator, he’s given more than a few legendary speeches during his time at Manitoba, and for the assembled roster in the room, today seems no different than any other.
 
As student-athletes get settled, Dobie is quick to remind them this speech may last a while. Again, that’s not out of the ordinary, but as the long-time bench boss gets going, the tone begins to shift.
 
Near the end of his hour-and-a-half-long speech, Dobie makes one final, powerful statement.
 
After a sensational career that began in 1996, the 2024 season will be his last as head coach.

“I love this team. People ask who’s your favourite team? To me the best answer is the team that you’re coaching right now. You guys represent every player I’ve ever coached,” he says, holding back tears.
 
“That’s not a cheesy comment. This is my last ride. It’s been 50 years [as a head coach], 29 years here. I love U SPORTS. I love the University of Manitoba. Will I miss competing? Oh yeah. Will I miss the coaches room? Absolutely.”
 
“When things are bad, and I’m angry or I’m depressed, when I show up here, every time, it never fails, I always get lifted up. Your energy, your commitment, your enthusiasm, who you are. You guys make my life,” he adds.
 
“Make no mistake about it, the two things in my life I care about most, are my family and Bisons football. To walk away from everything is really hard. I wouldn’t trade this for anything else. I have had an incredible life. Other than my wife and my daughter, you guys have been the biggest part of my life. I thank you for everything you’ve given to me.”

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie

You could hear a pin drop in the room following Dobie’s announcement.
 
For some, tears were shed. Others took a while to process the news. Slowly but surely, numerous members of the roster made their way to the front of the room, to embrace their coach.

As the days went by, and the team got back to business, that sadness turned to motivation.
 
‘One last ride,’ as Dobie put it.
 
Added incentive for a group of already hungry student-athletes, a quarter of whom are seniors in 2024. The core of this team has overcome loss, both on and off the field, and their coach has been there with them through it all.
 
“We’ve been through a lot together, so much adversity. There’s so many moments we’ve had together. We were already so motivated and so into the season, and then the coach Dobie news happened,” says starting quarterback Jackson Tachinski, recruited by Dobie in 2019 as a two-sport star.
 
“That just brings a whole other level of motivation. We all have really strong belief in that locker room that we’re going to do well.”

Read more about Brian Dobie’s legacy at gobisons.ca

Dobie’s final regular season home game

Saturday, October 26, 2 p.m.
Princess Auto Stadium
Bisons vs. UBC Thunderbirds
Tickets available online.

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Mike Still