The Queen’s Gaels football team is eager to start the 2023 season with a fresh mindset and a renewed determination. After finishing last in the OUA standings in 2022 with a 1-7 record, the Gaels are hoping to turn things around and compete for a playoff spot.
New head coach and staff
One of the biggest changes for the Gaels is the hiring of Steve Snyder as the new head coach. Snyder, who was the offensive coordinator for the Western Mustangs for the past four seasons, brings a wealth of experience and success to Queen’s. He helped the Mustangs win two Yates Cups and one Vanier Cup during his tenure, and was named the OUA Football Coach of the Year in 2021.
Snyder has also assembled a new coaching staff that includes former Gaels players and coaches, such as Ryan Bechmanis (defensive coordinator), Ryan Granberg (running backs coach), Rob Bagg (receivers coach), and Dan Bedore (offensive line coach). Snyder said he is excited to work with his new staff and players, and to build a winning culture at Queen’s.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to lead the Queen’s football program,” Snyder said. “I have a lot of respect for the tradition and history of this program, and I’m looking forward to adding to it. We have a great group of coaches and players who are committed to excellence on and off the field.”
Returning veterans and newcomers
The Gaels will also benefit from the return of some key veterans who missed most or all of the 2022 season due to injuries or COVID-19 protocols. Among them are James Keenan (quarterback), Rasheed Tucker (running back), Ben Arhen (receiver), Anthony Federico (linebacker), and Nolan Bedard (defensive back).
Keenan, who was named the OUA Rookie of the Year in 2021 after leading the Gaels to a 5-3 record and a playoff berth, said he is fully recovered from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six games in 2022. He said he is eager to get back on the field and lead the offense.
“I’m feeling great, physically and mentally,” Keenan said. “I’ve been working hard in the offseason to get stronger and faster, and to improve my understanding of the game. I’m excited to work with Coach Snyder and his staff, and to play with my teammates again. We have a lot of talent and potential on this team, and we’re ready to show it.”
The Gaels will also welcome some new faces to the roster, including some highly touted recruits from across Canada. Among them are Evan Hillock (receiver), Ethan Nagler (kicker), Jaden Bailey (defensive lineman), and Kobe Faubert (linebacker).
Hillock, who is from London, Ontario, said he chose Queen’s because of its academic reputation and its football tradition. He said he is looking forward to learning from Coach Snyder and his fellow receivers, especially Bagg, who played nine seasons in the CFL.
“Queen’s was always my top choice,” Hillock said. “It’s a great school with a great football program. I’m honored to be part of it. Coach Snyder is an amazing coach who knows how to develop players and win games. And Rob Bagg is a legend who I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. I can’t wait to learn from him and play with him.”
2023 schedule and outlook
The Gaels will kick off their 2023 season on Saturday, August 26, at home against the Laurier Golden Hawks. The game will mark the first time that Snyder will face his former team, the Mustangs, who are the defending OUA champions.
The rest of the Gaels’ schedule will feature some tough opponents, such as the McMaster Marauders, the Guelph Gryphons, and the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Gaels will also face some familiar rivals, such as the Carleton Ravens, the Toronto Varsity Blues, and the York Lions.
The Gaels will wrap up their regular season on Saturday, October 21, at home against the Waterloo Warriors. The OUA playoffs will begin on Saturday, October 28, with the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals on Saturday, November 4, and the Yates Cup on Saturday, November 11.
Snyder said he is confident that his team can compete with any team in the OUA, and that his goal is to make the playoffs and contend for a championship.
“We have a tough schedule, but we’re not afraid of anyone,” Snyder said. “We have a lot of respect for our opponents, but we also have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We have a strong team that can play in all three phases of the game. Our goal is to make the playoffs and go from there. We believe we can win every game we play.”
