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Legendary Vancouver Island high school football coach stepping down

Dan Smith stepping down as head coach of Ballenas Whalers football program, Jeremy Conn to take over
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Dan Smith, left, has stepped down as head coach of the Ballenas Whalers football program. (PQB B次元官网网址 file photo)

Dan Smith has decided to step down as head coach of the Ballenas Whalers football program.

The BC Football Hall of Famer has been a staunch supporter and a driving force of the Whalers football program. He has been involved in Whalers football for 20 years.

Smith said he intended to be head coach for only three years but stayed for five. He feels itB次元官网网址檚 the right time for him to pass the torch to assistant Jeremy Conn.

B次元官网网址淛eremy is very organized and detailed kind of person,B次元官网网址 said Smith. B次元官网网址淚 feel confident that he will continue the things I have achieved and established. I know he will also incorporate his own ideas and concepts.B次元官网网址

While Smith is stepping aside, he is not completely leaving the Whalers. As a legendary quarterback of the UBC Thunderbirds while in university, Smith said his love for football will never wane. He will still be involved with the Whalers and will help quarterbacks and serve as a co-offensive co-ordinator. He will also play a role in encouraging more parents to commit to the program.

Smith said the success of the Whalers program is a collaboration involving all the coaches, players, parents and volunteers. He thanked the many people who supported him and the program and for helping see his ideas and wishes come to fruition. Among the many goals that came to fruition that Smith was happy about is a capital project to replace outdated equipment, the creation of a secure storage equipment and a meeting room at Winchelsea School.

Smith was also proud to see the establishment of a football class within the school so players and students can get credit towards graduation. He indicated they get the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football and other field of expertise such as being a team manager, sport psychology and many others.

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B次元官网网址淪uffice it to say that none of these important initiatives could have been accomplished without leaders in our school and our community buying in the vision of growing the Whalers football program rather than the status quo,B次元官网网址 said Smith.

Conn, also a teacher at Ballenas, looks forward to his new role with the Whalers.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been coaching with Dan for 14 years here at Ballenas and IB次元官网网址檝e learned more from him about coaching football than anyone,B次元官网网址 said Conn. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a real pleasure and I look forward to continue to work with him.B次元官网网址

Conn aims to build on the momentum of the last five years with Smith as the head coach.

B次元官网网址淓veryone can expect to see our great Whaler traditions continuing and my goal is to help refine and define things so we can execute to the best our ability and the players can fly around and have fun,B次元官网网址 said Conn. B次元官网网址淲e have to keep learning how to adapt to this ever-changing world and IB次元官网网址檓 going to be focused on how our football program can do that by helping our young men play football while also getting them ready to be positive contributors to the community.B次元官网网址

Michael.Briones@pqbnews.com

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Michael Briones

About the Author: Michael Briones

I rejoined the PQB B次元官网网址 team in April 2017 from the Comox Valley Echo, having previously covered sports for The NEWS in 1997.
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