MONTREAL – McGill Athletics & Recreation is deeply saddened to announce the passing of alumnus Chuck McMann (BEd '01), who served six years as head coach at the University, where he guided the football team to a pair of Dunsmore Cup conference championships. He was 70.
 
McMann also won multiple Grey Cup rings as both a player and coach in the Canadian Football League. He died on Tuesday (July 20) after collapsing during an uphill bike ride while cycling on Hornby Island, near his Qualicum Beach home, on Vancouver Island.

"What a great coach and an even better person," tweeted TVA Sports analyst Charles-Antoine Sinotte, a star wide receiver during the McMann era at McGill. "Saw something in me that I didn't even know I had. Changed my football career and my life."
 
Born Charles Wilson McMann on May 11, 1951 in Toronto, he went on to attend Humberside Collegiate Institute before a hall of fame varsity football career with Wilfrid Laurier University from 1973 to 1976. Decades later, he earned a degree in education while coaching at McGill. A third-round draft pick of the Montreal Alouettes in 1976, he played 10 seasons in the CFL at receiver and running back with the Alouettes and Concordes from 1976 to 1985. He also played in three Grey Cups, winning the 1977 game.

McMann was head coach at the University of Waterloo from 1988 to 1991, then moved on to coach in the CFL, followed by his stint as head coach and offensive coordinator at McGill from 2001 to 2006. He merited the Frank Tindall Trophy as Canadian university football coach of the year in 2002.

A resident of Dorval, Que., during his time at McGill, McMann became the team's 18th head coach in 2001, taking over from long-time bench boss Charlie Baillie. McMann guided McGill to five playoff appearances in six years, including consecutive Dunsmore Cup league championships in each of his first two seasons.

In 2002, his troops posted a stellar 7-1 record in the Quebec conference, the first time that the team had finished atop the standings since 1981. After a 44-0 semifinal win over Bishop's and a 10-6 conquest over Concordia, he led McGill to an appearance in the 2002 Churchill Bowl national semifinal, a loss to Saskatchewan at Percival Molson Stadium. Over his six seasons at McGill, he posted a 28-28 record overall, including a 24-24 mark in regular season play.

"I am where I am today as a result of his guidance and trust," wrote Greg Hetherington, a receiver who had the opportunity to play for McMann, initially at McGill, then later in the CFL with both Calgary and the Lions. "I'd never met someone who was so committed and so humble... He valued many things but (put) work ethic, trust and honesty above all else."

During McMann's tenure at McGill, he produced 24 league all-stars, 11 All-Canadians and five players who went on to pro careers in the CFL. Forty-four of his players also earned Academic All-Canadian honours.

Prior to joining McGill, McMann spent nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Stampeders, where he coached in four Grey Cups games, winning championship rings in 1992 and 1998. After leaving McGill, he returned to the CFL coaching ranks, serving as an assistant with both Calgary and the B.C. Lions, where he won additional Grey Cup rings with the Stampeders (2008) and Lions (2011). He retired after the 2015 CFL season and moved from Langley, B.C., to Vancouver Island.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a donation to any of his favourite charities, including St. Stephen's United Church in Qualicum Beach, B.C., Hockey Ministries International, the North Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, the Parksville Salvation Army Food Bank or the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Kristin (Jan), sons Jeffrey (Denly) and Jonathan (Heidi), in addition to eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in the Allsbrook Room at Yates Memorial Services on Friday, July 30 at 2 p.m.  Due to gathering size restrictions, please contact the family directly to RSVP by emailing kristinhendriks@gmail.com or texting 250.974.3735.

Messages of condolences may be left online at this Tribute Wall.


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CHUCK McMANN'S COACHING RECORD AT McGILL
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YEAR  OVERALL (SEASON)  STANDING
2001:   7-3 (5-3)  THIRD / Dunsmore Cup champions
2002:   9-2 (7-1)  FIRST / Dunsmore Cup champions; Churchill Bowl finalists
2003:   3-6 (3-5)  FOURTH / Lost semifinal at Laval
2004:   4-5 (4-4)  FOURTH / Lost semifinal at Montreal
2005:   1-7 (1-7)  FIFTH / Missed playoffs
2006:   4-5 (4-4)  FOURTH / Lost semifinal at Laval
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TOT:  28-28 (24-24)
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca