2024 marks the beginning of a new era of Pride for the York University Lions football program.
Led by new head coach Dexter Janke – named the 12th head coach in program history in January – the program is looking to set a new standard, and, in so doing, put itself back on the OUA football map.
As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. While he knows success doesn't come overnight, Janke is looking forward to seeing what he has built in his first six months on the job begin to take shape.
"We have a new staff and 60 new student athletes joining our program," Janke said. "I am most excited for our group to grow through the adversity and challenges throughout the season."
The new staff of which Janke speaks is headed by new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Greg Knox, the former head coach of the McMaster Marauders, enters his first season as the defensive coordinator. Meanwhile, longtime Alberta Golden Bears offensive coordinator Rick Walters joins Janke's staff in that same role for 2024.
Among the new recruits joining the fold are 24 players with CJFL experience – a big area of emphasis for Janke, who, in his last post, led the CJFL's Westshore Rebels to a BC Football Conference title and an appearance in the Canadian Bowl.
14 players join Janke from Westshore, including receiver Cairo Berry and defensive lineman Nehemiah Forde-Bowen. Another name Janke expects to make an impact in his first year in red and white is Waterloo, Ont. native Matt Linn, a quarterback who spent two years as a member of his hometown Waterloo Warriors.
As for returning players, the Lions have a veteran nucleus, headed on offensive by running back Melchis Ilunga and receiver and kick returner Alfred Olay, as well as Avontae McKoy, who made one of the catches of the year in U SPORTS last season in a Week 2 loss at Waterloo.
On the offensive line, 2024 Edmonton Elks draft pick Evan Anseeuw is someone Janke is leaning on to captain the Lions up front. Defensively, the trenches are led by fourth-year lineman Brandon Davies-Lyons, with veteran Hunter Bannon leading the linebacking corps and third-year defensive back Raekwon Lewis-Gibbs leading what is almost an entirely new secondary.
While the Lions make their way back to contention, success is being found in many different ways. For Janke, that growth he spoke of – not only week by week, but day by day – will be how he gauges the success of this season as he looks to build something special.
"Success for our group will be defined by our ability to improve day after day," he said. "Our ability to finish the season a better team than we entered the season is what we're looking for.
After an extra week to prepare thanks to a Week 1 bye, the Dexter Janke era of Lions football begins Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1:00 pm when the Lions welcome the Ottawa Gee-Gees to York Lions Stadium.
