By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)
The 2019 edition of the Manitoba Fearless coaching staff features plenty of Manitoba Bisons connections.
Starting from the top down, there’s head coach/defensive coordinator Brett MacFarlane, a former halfback and SAM linebacker for the Herd who is one of 19 players to have accumulated over 100 tackles in his U of M career.
Perhaps the most recognizable Bisons alum however, is second-year running backs coach Matt Henry.
A key member of Manitoba’s undefeated 2007 Vanier Cup championship team, his 3,171 rushing yards still ranks second all-time in program history.
Henry’s perseverance is also well known, having returned to the brown and gold’s lineup in time for the 2008 season after suffering a broken femur in the 2007 Vanier.
The gruesome injury, which shattered his right thigh bone in three places, remains locked in the memory of many. Henry, however uses the experience as a positive in his life, whether at work with Vickar Ford where he’s the finance manager, or on the field as a coach.
“It’s been 12 or 13 years now since the accident and I’m open and comfortable talking about it. I talk about it almost every single day with my job,” he says.
“It’s about what you do after you face adversity, that’s what counts. I know [Bisons football head] coach [Brian] Dobie would always say to the team that it’s now what happened to you then, it’s how you respond. In sports and in the business, they intertwine. If you put the work in, you’re going to get the results.
For me I could have done one of two things. I could’ve said okay, my career is done, I’m not going to rehab and that’s it. But that’s not my mentality. You have to go through rehab, you have to go through the pain and at the end of it you’re going to be back on the field, but only if you do the things you need to do.”
Under the tutelage of Henry and company, the Fearless once again boasted the league’s leading rusher last season, in Hallie Eggie. The third-year back finished the regular season with 84 carries for 666 yards and six majors, after recording 920 rushing yards the year before.
Interestingly, the team has Eggie to thank for Henry’s presence. The two are long-time friends and she convinced him to take up a role with Fearless in 2019 after a few years of going back and forth.
“Its been a great experience to see how you impact other people with your coaching,” Henry added.
“I’m 100 percent a player’s coach. I’ve been on the other side of it with the helmet and the shoulder pads on and I know how I like to be coached. Show me something once and I’ll do it, if I make a mistake, correct me and obviously it won’t happen again.
I like that style, and being energetic and being in your face and getting everyone motivated. That’s what players need. They don’t want someone who’s a military style, especially in this day and age.”
With an experienced Fearless roster fresh off of their first-ever home playoff game a year ago, the sky is the limit. Additionally, for Eggie, having a coach that she trusts from way back is also an added plus.
“When your advice actually works and you see it on the field, it’s very powerful. It took two years, but I’m very happy that I took the leap and it’s all thanks to Hallie,” Henry says.
“She’s a natural-born athlete. I’ve known her since we were in university. Now that we’re both grown up and coaching her, it’s honestly like watching myself but in a woman’s frame. She takes criticism, she takes advice and she implements it on the field.”