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Peter Connellan

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Peter Connellan
Biographical details
Born1936 or 1937 (age 87–88)[1]
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1964–1975Viscount Bennett High School
1976Central Memorial High School
1975–1976University of Calgary (Asst.)
1977University of Calgary (interim)
1980–1981University of Calgary (Asst.)
1983–1995University of Calgary
2004–2005University of Calgary (OC)
Head coaching record
Overall87–38–2 (.682)

Peter Connellan (born 1936) is a retired Canadian football coach. He served as the head coach of the Calgary Dinos football team in 1977 and again from 1983 to 1995.[2] He was also a professor in the Department of Physical Education at the University of Calgary.[3]

Coaching career

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In 1964, Connellan became the head coach at Viscount Bennett High School in Calgary.[4] In twelve seasons, he led the school to a 58–7 record and four city championships (1967, 1969, 1972, 1973).[5] In 1976, he moved to Central Memorial High School.[6] Connellan also served as an assistant at the University of Calgary during the 1975 and 1976 seasons.[7]

In 1977, Connellan served as coach of the Calgary Dinos football team while head coach Mike Lashuk was on a year's sabbatical.[8] He led Calgary to a 6–2 record and Canada West conference championship, but lost to Western in the Forest City Bowl. Connellan won the Frank Tindall Trophy, which is given to the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union football coach of the year.[9] After the season, Connellan returned to the Calgary high school system, where he served as vice principal at William Aberhart High School. In 1980, Connellan returned to Calgary as the offensive backfield and receivers coach.[10] He left after two seasons and became the principal of Robert Warren Junior High School.[5]

Lashuk resigned after the 1982 season and Connellan was chosen to succeed him.[5] Under Connellan's leadership, the Dinos secured Canada West championships in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1993, and 1995, as well as the Vanier Cup championship in 1983, 1985, 1988, and 1995. Connellan's achievements earned him induction into the Dinos' Hall of Fame in 2008,[11] the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1998,[12] and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "Connellan honoured by hall call". Toronto Sun.
  2. ^ "Peter Connellan and the will to prepare". ucalgary.ca.
  3. ^ "University of Calgary Athletics". goDINOS.com.
  4. ^ "Calgary Schools Hit By Coaching Shuffle". The Calgary Herald. July 11, 1964. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Toneguzzi, Mario (January 26, 1983). "Connellan returns for an encore". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  6. ^ Allen, Dan (September 17, 1976). "High schoolers set for gridiron wars". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  7. ^ Slade, Daryl (June 17, 1978). "U of C Dinosaurs are starting early". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  8. ^ Hull, Ken (August 30, 1977). "New Dinosaur football machine has sporty look - hint of speed". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Kadatz secretive about applicants". The Calgary Herald. November 19, 1982. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Connellan rejoins Dinos". Edmonton Journal. September 15, 1978. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Peter Connellan (2008) - Hall of Fame". University of Calgary Athletics. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  12. ^ "Connellan, Peter". ashfm.ca.
  13. ^ George Johnson. "Johnson: Dinos legend Connellan headed into Hall". www.calgaryherald.com.
  14. ^ "Peter Connellan". cfhof.ca. Canadian Football Hall of Fame. 2012.