‘Hardest decision I’ve made’
photo by Frank Appleyard
Denis Piché steps down as Gee-Gees football head coach
WITH LITTLE WARNING, Denis Piché announced Feb. 10 that his nearly 20-year association with the University of Ottawa football program was coming to an end. After serving eight years as head coach (2002–10), five years as an assistant coach (1997–2001), and four years as a player (1987–90), Piché took the time during a team practice to declare his resignation. He cited family commitments as the main reason for his choice to part ways with the program.
“I don’t want to sugar-coat it. This was probably the hardest decision I’ve made in my life,” Piché said. “It’s not always easy, but sometimes the hard decision to make is the right one.”
Piché’s announcement surprised many people, including his players.
“It just kind of came out of nowhere for a lot of us,” said third-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli. “We all know he loves Ottawa and bleeds the Gee-Gees colours. It was a shock.”
The strains on family life and the demands of leading a competitive university football program contributed to Piché’s decision.
“The reality is that the job demands over 3,500 hours per year and 16–17 hours per day during the regular season,” he said. “And when the team isn’t practising or playing, we’re visiting schools across the country and talking to recruits and going to the combines at night … it’s not the easiest set-up.”
Sinopoli credited Piché for guiding him during his first year as starting quarterback.
“He gives you really good advice towards the game and [teaches] you how to conduct yourself,” he said. “Playing with respect, class, hard work, and passion—that’s what he preached to us every time we stepped on to the field.”
Sinopoli added that Piché had one quality in particular that will be remembered.
“Just his passion, I think,” he said. “You could see it in him every time we lost a game—it cut him deep. That’s what you want in a head coach, just that passion for the game.”
Piché leaves behind a regular season record of 44-20 during his eight-year tenure as head coach. Under his guidance, the Gees made the playoffs every year. The team won the Yates Cup in 2006 and returned to the Ontario University Athletics championship game in 2008.
Piché said there wasn’t a single memory that stood out.
“There’s just too many,” Piché said. “Having an undefeated regular season [in 2007], advancing to the Yates Cup twice, being 51 seconds or so away from the Vanier Cup [in 2006]—those were definitely highlights.
“But it was about contributing to the community, building relationships with people, earning respect, and building a tradition of excellence,” he continued. “I worked with some unbelievable coaches who made me look good.”
Despite all the regular-season success, Piché’s teams were 6-8 in the playoffs. He regretted that he fell short of leading the Gees to a Vanier Cup.
“I’d be a liar to say I’m not disappointed we didn’t win a national championship,” he said. “But we were really close on many occasions. We just ran out of time with me here, but the program is in good hands, and the U of O is going in the right direction.”
Sinopoli agreed with his former coach’s assessment.
“Things are still going to be solid here,” he said, adding that there will be an internal promotion with details expected to be announced in the future. “With a new coach coming from within our own staff, it will be an easier transition.
“We have amazing assistant coaches here, and we believe in the staff,” he continued. “We’re thankful for everything [Piché] gave us, but we know we can move on.”
