Article updated Feb. 5, 2020: Regina Rams official statement
The University of Regina has accepted the resignation of Steve Bryce, head coach of the University of Regina Rams football team. Bryce has indicated he is leaving his position for personal reasons. He had served as head coach since March, 2016, guiding the club to the playoffs in two of his four seasons. The University of Regina thanks Steve Bryce for his service and wishes him the best moving forward.
The University of Regina respects the privacy and confidentiality of all personnel matters and will not be providing any further details on Bryce’s departure.
Rams Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Mark McConkey has been named interim head coach and recruiting, training, planning, and preparation for the 2020 season will continue moving forward under his guidance.
The University of Regina remains committed to the ongoing success of our student athletes, our varsity football program, and the rich history and tradition of Rams football in our community.
Source: Regina Rams Football
Mark McConkey was hired by the Rams in April, 2015 as the team’s offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and academic coach.
McConkey received a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the U of R in 2012 with a major in human kinetics, and earned a Bachelor of Education in 2014 with a major in physical education and a minor in health. He interned at Greenall High School in Balgonie, Sask. before taking on a full-time role at the school in spring of 2014, teaching mainly Grade 9 and Grade 10 classes and serving as a coach with the Griffins’ football team and as the head coach of the school’s senior boys’ basketball team and the track & field teams.
Highlighting the list of individual accomplishments under Coach McConkey’s tenure with the Rams is the selection of quarterback Noah Picton as the Hec Crighton Trophy recipient in 2016, an annual award given to the top player in Canadian university football. Picton was an All-Canadian in both 2016 and 2017, while his cousin Mitchell Picton earned All-Canadian status in 2016. Five different players have earned Canada West all-star selections under McConkey including both Pictons, Ryan Schienbein, Jeremy Zver, and Atlee Simon. Three of those players – Zver, Mitchell Picton, and Simon – were selected in the CFL Draft.
One of the most prolific receivers in Rams history, McConkey’s time at the U of R began after graduating from Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary back in 2007. McConkey redshirted the 2007 season with the Rams, and immediately jumped in as a key member of the team’s offence as a first-year player in 2008. His best statistical season was in 2010, setting career highs in both receptions (45) and receiving yards (509). After missing almost the entire 2012 campaign due to injury, McConkey collected 180 receptions in his career – a mark which stood as the most in Canada West history until former teammate Jared Janotta set a new standard the following season.
McConkey was a Canada West all-star in 2011 and earned Academic All-Canadian status in his final season with the Rams. He’s also fifth in Rams history with 1991 career receiving yards.
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