Holland College Hurricanes Football Club announces appointment of new head coach

The Holland College Hurricanes Football Club announced last month that Mark MacDougall will take over from Ian “Tex” MacDonald as Head Coach and Vice President of Player Personnel for the Atlantic Football League (AFL) team. The appointment will allow for a seamless transition for the organization, said team president Michael O’Grady.

“Upon making this announcement, I first wish to extend our thanks to Coach Tex for all he did over the past year as the first Head Coach of the Hurricanes. He put together a fine staff of assistant coaches and molded a team that took the local football community by storm and awakened the echoes of three decades ago. Our first season was a success, and Coach Tex’s role as field marshal has laid a solid foundation for the future, which was his goal.”

Coach MacDougall brings more than 15 years of experience to the position, as an assistant and head coach at the high school level. He is a Master Course Conductor and Evaluator for the National Coaches Certification Program (NCCP), which recently honoured him for his significant commitment to the NCCP.

MacDougall was a standout defensive back at St. Francis Xavier University, where he was defensive captain, earned all-conference honours and was team MVP in 1987. Since earning his B.Sc. in Physical Education, Mark has dedicated himself to a teaching career. In 2007-08 he was awarded a National Physical Education Teaching Excellence (PETE) Award.

“Mark has been a tireless contributor to the sustainment and growth of football in this province. This position will allow him to combine his great knowledge of the game and his experience as an educator. We are very excited that he will be devoting himself to our program,” O’Grady said.

Coach MacDougall also expressed his excitement about being offered the opportunity with the Hurricanes.

“It will be a new challenge for me after 15 years at the high school level. There is a great team of people involved with this program and I hope to add a little bit to it. It is great for young players to have a chance to play at the next level here in PEI and I hope these players will in turn give back to the game as coaches, officials and volunteers in the future. Football is a great game and the Hurricanes program will be very important for the development of the game in PEI. Go ‘Canes!”

The Hurricanes are entering their second season in the five-team AFL. There is a mini-camp scheduled for Saturday, May 14, at the indoor soccer complex in Stratford. The camp starts at 1 p.m. and is open to all prospects and returning players.