The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football program is pleased to announce that 2016 national semifinalists Bob Mullen and Mark Surya have been hired as the team’s new defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively, for the 2017 season.
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues football program is pleased to announce that 2016 national semifinalists Bob Mullen and Mark Surya have been hired as the team’s new defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively, for the 2017 season.
“I am very pleased that we are able to announce two new full-time coaches have been hired to support the growth and development of our football program,” said Beth Ali, Executive Director of Athletics and Physical Activity. “Both Mark and Bob bring valuable playoff and championship experience with essential expertise to help Coach Gary lead our team on and off the field. The intercollegiate and high performance program is committed to provide the appropriate resources to strive for excellence and provide our student-athletes with the best opportunity to be successful while at U of T.”
Bob Mullen comes to U of T after four seasons as the StFX X-Men defensive coordinator. There, Mullen helped guide the X-Men from a 3-5 season in 2013 to a 7-1 year in 2016, including back-to-back AUS championship titles in 2015 and 2016.
His defence led the AUS allowing a mere 16.1 points and 336 yards per game, while also ranking second in the country with 16 interceptions this past season.
A Vanier Cup winner as both a player and a coach at Queen’s University, Mullen served as the Gaels defensive coordinator from 1988-00, helping the team to four Yates Cups titles and the only shutout in Vanier Cup history in 1992.
“I am very thankful for this opportunity and I am excited to join Coach Gary's staff,” said Mullen. “I look forward to the opportunity to meet and get to work with our coaches and student-athletes; working together, I know great things lie ahead for the Varsity Blues football family.”
Mark Surya joins the Blues after two seasons as the Laurier Golden Hawks offensive coordinator, after two years as the squad’s receivers coach. There, Surya guided the Hawks from a 4-4 regular season record and semi-final exit in 2015 to a 7-1 regular season record and Yates Cup championship in 2016.
In 2016, Surya’s offence led the nation in rushing yards per game (281.4), while ranking second in points per game (42.6) and total touchdowns (43).
A current PhD candidate in sports psychology concentration at Laurier, Surya was selected as the West’s receivers coach in 2015 and offensive coordinator in 2016 for the annual U Sports East West Bowl. He served as the Ontario Varsity Football League’s (OVFL) Cambridge Lions offensive coordinator from 2014-15, as well as the Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School’s offensive coordinator in 2012.
"I'm excited and grateful for this opportunity to work with student-athletes at one of the premier institutions in Canada,” said Surya. “The football team has a long history of success and I am hoping to contribute to the turn around that Greg Gary has started. This is a dream come true and I hope to provide energy and leadership to this young team. 2017 looks to be an exciting year and while the OUA is the most competitive league in Canada, I am excited for the challenges that lie ahead. I also want to thank Michael Faulds and the entire Laurier family for their impact on my development as a coach. I couldn't be where I am without their guidance."
The Varsity Blues kick off their 156th season against Surya’s former team, the Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday, August 27 in Waterloo, Ont. The Blues return home on Labour Day Monday, September 4 as they host the Windsor Lancers under the lights at Varsity Stadium.