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Coaches - 2009 John Darnell, Head Coach
He graduated with a B.A. (Hons), from the University of Western Ontario in 1970. He received his M Ed from Wayne State University in 1976. John was a secondary school teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board from 1971 until his retirement in 2000. He served as the Executive Director of the Men's Athletic Alumni at the University of Western Ontario from 2001 to 2005. During his teaching career John coached at three different high schools in London (Oakridge, H.B.Beal, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier) and reached the Senior Football City Championship at all three. His teams won 6 Senior Football City Championships, and 12 Divisional Championships. He was also the head coach of the London Senior Bowl team and the head coach of the London Beefeaters of the Canadian Junior Football League. John was Team Canada's 1998 Defensive Coordinator in Scotland & England. His Forest City Thunderbirds were the Provincial Champions in 2000 and 2002 and Provincial Finalists in 2001 and 2005. This season marks his 39th year coaching football. John was the Assistant Head Football Coach at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia for 5 years (2004-2008). He has his NCCP Level IV certification. The London Sports Council presented John the 2001 Ontario 3M Community Coach Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions. Chad Asselstine, Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator: Junior Varsity
This is Chad Asselstine’s 3rd year as the Defensive Coordinator for the Forest City Thunderbirds. Chad has been involved in football in the London community since his London Minor Football Association playing days. Chad moved on to play Defensive End and Linebacker at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School where he captained three of the five teams he played for and won two city championships. Chad graduated High School and continued his playing career with the Forest City Thunderbirds, winning one provincial championship, and receiving two all star nominations. Chad was the Thunderbirds’ defensive MVP in 2000 and 2001. Chad finished his playing career after four successful seasons with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs playing two years at Linebacker and two at Defensive End where he started for his last two years. Chad began coaching Linebackers during his summers while playing for UWO. He has his NCCP Football Level 1 Technical. Bert Bettencourt, Offensive and Defensive Line Coordinator: Pewee
This is Bert’s first year coaching with the Thunderbirds. Bert played high school football at Catholic Central from 1988 to 1994. He was part of five city championship teams, two junior and three senior. He played offensive line all five years at every position on the line. Bert is also a head coach in the LMFA at the tyke level with Clark Road. Jeff Bushell, Defensive Backs: Pewee
Jeff is returning for his third year with the Thunderbirds coaching staff. He played for the University of Toronto for five years as a strong safety and weak safety. Jeff played in every game during his entire 5 years with the Blues. Prior to that he played for five years at South Secondary School where he was the top graduating athlete. This is Jeff’s third year of teaching with the TVDSB, and he is currently the Head Coach of the Westminster Junior Football team. In his first year the Wildcats earned their first victory as a junior team in 5 years, were the first team at Westminster to make the playoffs in five years, and set several other school records. Jeff also assists with recruiting for the University of Toronto for the London area. Dave Carnevale, Defensive Backs: Junior Varsity
This is Dave’s second year with the Thunderbirds coaching staff. He played high school football in Mississauga at Iona Catholic Secondary School for 3 seasons, and 3 seasons in the OVFL for the Mississauga Warriors, winning the championship twice. He played with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs from 1999 – 2001. Dave began his coaching career at London Central with their Junior Football program, where he coached for 5 seasons (2002 – 2006). He started out as a positional coach with the DB’s and ended as their Defensive Coordinator for the 2006 season. His Central Ghosts won the Junior City Championship in 2004 and 2006. Dave presently coaches at Arthur Voaden Secondary School in St. Thomas and was the defensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008. He is also involved with the SAC (Strength, Agility and Conditioning) program through the London Legion Track club for high school athletes, specifically football players. Acquilla Cormier, Defensive Line: Peewee
This is Acquilla’s first season with the Thunderbirds where he will be assisting with the defensive line. He has coached minor baseball for 4 years, winning 2 league championships. Acquilla has been coaching LMFA for 5 years and is looking forward to working with the Thunderbirds’ Pewee team. Don Elliott, Special Teams Coordinator & Linebackers: Junior Varsity
Joe Gregorio, Running Backs: Junior Varsity
This is Joe's second year with the Thunderbirds where he will be working with the Junior Varsity team in the offensive back field. Joe began coaching football in the London Minor Football League (LMFA) in 2003 with the South Titans (Pee Wee division) where he assisted with the defensive backfield and secondary for four seasons. In the 2007/08 seasons he worked with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School Rams Junior Football team assisting with the defensive line and backfield. In 2007 Joe also coached in the first NFL/CFL Junior Player Development (JPD) program run in London. Joe has completed the Technical (Football Coaching) Level I & Level II courses as well as the Level I - Coaching Theory course of the National Coaching Certification Program. Keith Kocins, Receivers: Peewee
This is Keith’s first year coaching with the Thunderbirds. During his high school career at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School in London, Keith played both wide receiver and defensive back for the junior and senior football teams. His high school team advanced to the London Conference final 4 years in a row, winning one junior and one senior title. Keith also won the London Conference tennis doubles championship and the WOSSA midget pole vaulting championship. Keith graduated in 1988 and served 14 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, 7 in the Army and 7 in the Canadian Navy. He played volleyball for Army CFB Shilo and won the Canadian Nationals in Calgary Alberta. He was an assistant coach for soccer and minor league football in Petawawa Ontario and Esquimalt, Victoria BC. For the last 3 years Keith has assisted in the LMFA. Keith is now working in the Construction Industry as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Bryan Lusk, Receivers: Junior Varsity
Bryan returns for his second season of coaching with the Thunderbirds as a receivers coach. He is pursuing a strong interest he has in the game of football. Bryan is in his second year teaching at Medway High School where last fall he coached receivers for the senior football team. He has his level one NCCP coaching certification and is also involved in the rugby and hockey programs at Medway. Bryan has been involved with all aspects of hockey throughout his life, participating as a player, instructor, ref and coach and is enjoying transferring his experiences to the football field. Chris Marcus, Assistant Head Coach - Linebackers and Special Teams Coordinator: Peewee An Ottawa native, Marcus was a member of the UWO Mustangs from 1978-81 and served as the Mustang Defensive Backs Coach from 1985-89, Linebackers Coach from 1990-96, and Special Teams coordinator from 2002-07. Chris, a graduate of the Ivey Business School, is a teacher at South Secondary School in London and has been the Head Coach of the Lions football team since 1992. At South, Coach Marcus has developed the Lions team into City Champions and one of the Province's best. Chris also developed the South women’s rowing team into a national powerhouse. Chris' wife Jan is a former star volleyball player at Western and her senior volleyball teams at Saunders SS in London are always provincial contenders. Kyle Robinson, Defensive Line: Pewee
This is Kyle’s first year coaching with the Thunderbirds. He played football for five years with South Secondary School, playing all positions on the defensive and offensive lines. He currently attends Queen’s University completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a major in History. He looks forward to passing his love of football and teamwork onto the players on the Thunderbirds Peewee team. Severo Rodriguez, Offensive Line: Peewee
This is Severo’s first season with the Thunderbirds. Severo was a two time All-District offensive lineman in High School as well as a two time All-District and State discuss thrower. He was offered several football and track scholarships, attending Missouri Valley College and Baylor University. Severo went on to earn a Bachelors degree from St. Mary’s University, a Masters in Science degree from the University of Texas, and is near completion of his PhD in Learning Management. Severo has been involved in coaching for five years, assisting with basketball, soccer and football. Greg Sawatzky, Offensive Line: Junior Varsity
Greg is entering is third year of coaching with the Thunderbirds as offensive line coach. During his High School career at East Elgin Secondary School in Aylmer, Greg earned the Lineman of the year award in 2004, 2006 and 2007. In the fall of 2008 Greg was the offensive line coach the East Elgin Secondary School Senior Football team and The Eagles captured their first title since 2002. Cal Simpson, Receivers and Quarterbacks: Peewee
This is Cal’s first year with the Thunderbirds. He will be working with the receivers and quarterbacks. Cal quarterbacked the South Lions a long time ago and led the London Beefeaters to their first ever touchdown in their first ever exhibition game in 1975. He is going into his 6th year with Saunders Rams of the LMFA, 5th as head coach. Cal has his NCCP level 1 Technical. Cal owns and operates Simtrax Courier a local courier company servicing London and area. Matt Snyder, Offensive Coordinator: Junior Varsity
Matt returns to the Thunderbirds as Offensive Coordinator after serving in the position during the 2005 season. Matt played three seasons with the Thunderbirds as a Quarterback under Coach Darnell (2000 to 2002), winning two provincial championships and throwing the first touchdown pass in Thunderbirds history. Matt is a graduate of the University of Windsor where he played three seasons as a Quarterback for the Lancers, and one season as Quarterback for the London Silverbacks. He has previously served as Offensive Coordinator at Mother Teresa Secondary School and also coaches with the London Minor Hockey Association. Matt has his NCCP Level 1 Technical Football certification and has achieved his Prevention Services and Development 1 certificate through Alliance Hockey Ontario.
Steve Snyder, Quarterbacks: Junior Varsity
This is Steve’s first season with the Thunderbirds coaching staff. Steve played football and basketball at Beal Secondary School where he was an all star in both sports as a senior. In 2004 Steve started at quarterback for the London Beefeaters and was recognized as the team’s rookie of the year. In 2005 Steve Attended St. Francis Xavier University. As a second year player in 2006 he played wide receiver and kick returner before moving back to quarterback in 2007. Steve has been the starting quarterback for the past 2 seasons and is returning to St.FX this fall for his senior year. This past season Steve was a team captain. He led the Atlantic Conference in passing yards, yards per game and touchdown passes, Steve also received the team’s most dedicated player award. Steve is excited about coaching the Thunderbirds young quarterbacks. Bill Tsioros, Assistant General Manager:
This is Bill’s third year working with the Thunderbirds. Born and raised in London Ontario Bill attended Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School where he played all the major sports, earning the Major Athletic Award in his final year. An avid university sports fan he has attended 2 Rose Bowls, 1 National championship, and 3 Final Fours. Until he got busy with his own kids sports team he had not missed a home football game in 17 years at the University of Michigan. As the former Ontario director for Collegiate Sports of America Bill personally recruited and helped many Canadian student athletes achieve their dreams of playing Division 1 athletics in the United States. Dave Wallis, Quarterbacks: Junior Varsity
Dave returns for his fourth season with the Thunderbirds as QB coach. His senior high school playing days began at Oakridge Secondary School under the guidance of a young Coach Darnell, fresh out of teachers college, the rest being ancient history. A graduate of Fanshawe College, Dave spent many years with Bell Canada, and after an ‘early retirement’, began his second career with London’s Source for Sports. Dave gladly, and with much pride, gives as much of his spare time to the Thunderbirds any way he can during the season as well as the off season. He is presently serving as Secretary on the SCOFL Board of Directors. Dave holds his NCCP level 1 technical. Previous Years
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