Gryphtalk weighs in on Stu Lang hiring

On today's show, we rolled up our sleeves to discuss the Stu Lang hiring by the Gryphons football program. Interviews included athletic director Tom Kendall and former Gryphons quarterback Justin Dunk.

Click HERE to go to the host site for today's show. First select "Regular Download" on the right, and then on the next page, the actual mp3 download link is at the bottom.

Enjoy!

photo credit: Rashaad Bhamjee

Gryphons tab Stu Lang to be new head football coach: Former receivers coach takes reins, bringing athletic and professional experience

“Stu Lang is the right man, at the right time for Guelph. We are very fortunate to have him lead our program to accomplish the goal of competing for a conference and national championship.” – Tom Kendall, athletic director.

photo credit: Gryphons Athletics

After a dedicated search to find their next head coach, the Guelph Gryphons football team has found their new leader.

Link to Guelph football press conference

As you probably know by now, the Guelph Gryphons are holding a press conference today, (Tues. March 30) at 2pm ET to introduce their new head football coach. At this time, it is expected that Stu Lang will be taking the reins from the recently-departed Kyle Walters. Athletic director Tom Kendall will be hosting the press conference from the Gryphon Lounge in the W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre on campus.


Click HERE to go directly to the video link for today's presser, hosted by SSN Canada

Sources: Stu Lang will be next Gryphons head football coach

Exciting news out of the University of Guelph!

Multiple sources surrounding the team have indicated that current Guelph Gryphons receivers coach and former CFLer Stu Lang will be named the new head coach of the team. Greg Layson reported that Lang was interviewed for the position last week. His write-up can be found HERE. As Layson indicated, money is not a critical factor in Lang's desire to coach this team as he is already financially secure given his family's labeling business, CCL Industries. Lang's Gryphon bio can be found HERE. Players were impressed with his dedication and commitment as a coach this year.

Lang had a successful CIS and CFL career as a receiver with the Queen's Gaels and Edmonton Eskimos, winning one Yates Cup and five Grey Cups in the 70s and 80s. Last year was his first year coaching Gryphons receivers, a group that included Jedd Gardner, Dave Harrison, Jamie Shaw and budding rookie Dillon Dimitroff, the nephew of Atlanta Falcons GM Tom Dimitroff Jr.

Athletic Director Tom Kendall has not yet confirmed that Lang will be named head coach, but did indicate that there should be a press conference announcing a hiring sometime next week--likely Thursday.

Varsity teams make the cut

I wrote an article for this week's edition of The Ontarion, the first issue put out by my boss, friend and former sports editor, the NEW Editor-in-Chief...drumroll please....Daniel Bitonti. The article was based on an interview I did with Guelph's Athletic Director Tom Kendall, earlier this week, about the stability of varsity athletics in the ongoing recession.

Kendall assured me that despite the need for budget cutbacks in athletics, ALL of Guelph's varsity teams will keep their status for next year. Check out Dan's first paper (and my article too!) at http://www.theontarion.ca/.

MT

New Facilities are On the Way!!!!

By a mere 200ish votes, the students at UofG supported the athletic facilities referendum question in the recent CSA election.

The question asked for an addition $4 from students each semester - athletic fees go from $34-$38 per semester and that increase will ultimately bring about MASSIVE changes.

I talked to Tom Kendall, the Director of Athletics today and he was extremely excited about receiving the support of the students.

The student contribution will finance two substantial projects:
1.) Renovation of the W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre. We're talking new gyms, weight rooms, indoor track, changing facilities, offices, the whole nine. This is the building that is most used by students and Kendall wanted to make sure that their financial contribution went towards a facility that exclusively benefits students. Look for building to commence within the next 18-24 months for this incredible project.

2.) Synthetic turf soccer fields. The days of poorly irrigated grass and inconsistent traction will soon be over as the new fields will feature synthetic turf, a modern surface similar to that at BMO Field in Toronto where Toronto FC play Major League Soccer. Not only will the existing fields be replaced, but new ones will also be built. This project will be the first to get underway and an optimistic Kendall said Fall 2010 would be the LATEST that these new fields would be available for use.

This is great news for the university as a whole! The Athletic quadrant of campus was recently deemed the area of greatest need. Kendall was very appreciative of student support and Guelph's top-ranked intramural program will also receive a great boost from this.

Look for more information on this development in this week's edition of The Ontarion as both myself and the current Sports Editor, Daniel Bitonti will provide comments.

MT