Bob Howes joins X-Men football coaching staff

Antigonish, NS— X-Men football head coach Gary Waterman is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Howes to the X-Men football coaching staff.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Bob Howes as a new member of the X-Men coaching staff,” comments Waterman. “Bob capped off a tremendous playing career with an equally impressive coaching resume. His experience working with the offensive line and long snappers will be of great benefit to our program.”

A native of Kirkland Lake, Ont., Howes played basketball and football in the mid-sixties for Queen’s University under legendary coach Frank Tindall. He continued his university career at the University of Waterloo while earning his Bachelor of Education degree. A draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders, Bob was subsequently traded to the BC Lions where he played for three years before moving on to Edmonton, where he anchored their offensive line for the next decade. As an Eskimo, Howes played in eight Grey Cup games, earning championship rings in five (from 1975 to 1981).
 
After his CFL playing days, Howes joined Doug Hargreaves’ coaching staff at Queen’s in 1983 as a full-time assistant. For the next 12 years he served as defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, and offensive coordinator for Golden Gaels teams who won five conference championships, two national semi-final bowl games, and one Vanier Cup championship in 1992. Howes succeeded Hargraves as head coach in 1995, and led the team for the next five years, earning OQIFC coach of the year honors in 1995 and 1997.

After retiring from full-time coaching in 1999, Howes continued with the Gaels as offensive line coach, before joining the staff at the University of Toronto as director of football operations, where he coached with former X-Men receiver Greg DeLaval. Together with DeLaval, they orchestrated an impressive turnaround, setting the Varsity Blues program on a positive trajectory. Howes was also active coaching both high school and community football in the Kingston community.

He has coached for many years with Bob Mullen, who also recently joined the X-Men football program as the new defensive coordinator.

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