Coach Greg Tyszka played for the Wildcats for two seasons in the early 90’s, and was an All Star for his second season. He returned back to the Wildcats in 1998, and has been coaching with us every year since (minus 2010, when he coached for the Golden Bears). Greg has ranged from coaching the O-Line, to being the Offensive Coordinator, to being the Offensive Assistant – the position he currently holds so he has time to coach high school ball for Holy Trinity as well. Greg is well respected by all of his athletes both for his knowledge of football, as well as for the way he treats his players. He is always serious on the field and when he speaks, the athletes listen. Off the field, he can quite often be found sharing stories with the players and coaches that bring everyone to stitches. On behalf of the entire offense, thank you Coach Tyskzka!
Coach Greg High has been coaching in Edmonton for over 30 years. When asking his athletes, both past and present, about him, then first answer is almost always about how high his Football IQ is. Greg is always the first at the clubhouse, and can be found on his ramp breaking down film and working on the defensive playbook. He has high expectations of his athletes to be putting in the time to prepare for practice and to leave it all out on the field during practice. Despite his outward toughness, Greg cares about the success of his athletes both on and off the field. On behalf of the entire defense, thank you Coach High!
Coach Dan Schutte is the embodiment of what a true Wildcat is. Dan was a Defensive Lineman from 2002-2006 before he moved on to play for St. Mary’s University for 5 seasons. He was one of the top defensive linemen at both the CJFL and CIS levels, and has the awards to back it up. In 2013, Dan joined our coaching staff to pass on his knowledge and experience of the game to the next generation of Wildcats. Dan is a quiet coach, but never hesitates to say what needs to be said. His athletes describe him as the “toughest looking teddy bear we’ve ever seen”. Dan not only pushes his athletes to be better on the field, but he also is the first to share stories of what the team was like back when he played, and what it means to be a Wildcat. On behalf of the Defensive Line, thank you Coach Schutte!
Coach Jason McLean joined the Wildcats in 2015 after 11 years coaching with McNally High School. Jason has jumped positions coaching, going to where the team needs him the most, and has been an asset in each position. His firm understanding of the sport of football, combined with his patience and willingness to spend as much time with each athlete as they need has made him one of the most approachable coaches on the team. When he is not coaching, Jason is either coordinating the Flag Football Team, working on his golf game, or teaching his one year old daughter Ellie to stay away from football boys. On behalf of the Defensive Backs, and the McNally kids, thank you Coach McLean!
Coach Tanner Lestus is another Wildcat who returned home to the team. Tanner wore the Wildcat colours from 2006-2010 as a Defensive Back. In 2014, he came back to the ‘Cats to coach the DB’s. An University of Alberta Civil Engineering alumnus, Tanner is the analytical thinker of the coaching staff. Despite his calm and quiet exterior, Tanner has excelled at teaching his athletes to break down film, understand their jobs on the field, and to hit the field with full energy every time. On behalf of the Defensive Backs, thank you Coach Lestus!
Coach Sean Reader was awarded the “Most Likely To Organize Someone Else’s Locker While They’re Not Looking” award in high school…. Fine, we don’t actually know if that’s true, but it seems plausible! Sean is the coach who can find anything you ask for in a heartbeat and doesn’t even need to make you a second copy because he already anticipated you forgetting yours and came prepared. He is the heart of our Special Teams and Receivers, and is loved and respected by all of his athletes. Sean is a teacher, and that shows in how he breaks down film, walks the team through it, and assigns multiple page homework assignments. His coaching style is supportive, encouraging, and holds each player accountable, which has helped him bond close relationships with his receiving core. On behalf of the Receivers and Special Teams, thank you Coach Reader!
Jeff Stead came to the Wildcats in 2013 from the CIS. Willing to help out wherever he was needed, Jeff coached the Defensive Line alongside Dan Schutte for a season, before moving over to the offensive side of the ball, where he took over as Quarterbacks coach in 2014. It didn’t take long for the players to adapt to Jeff’s “tough love” style of coaching, and began to push themselves as hard as he was pushing them. This season Jeff stepped into the role of Offensive Coordinator in addition to coaching the Quarterbacks. Jeff is known to his athletes as being a tough coach who holds them accountable, but the first to crack a joke and bring a smile to their face when the time is right. On behalf of the entire Offense, and especially the Quarterbacks, thank you Coach Stead!
Even though 2016 is Jarred Winkel’s first season coaching with the Wildcats, he is no stranger to the team. Jarred played three seasons as a Wildcat, and was the 1999 CJFL Rookie of the Year. He finished his football career as the 2nd All-Time leading rusher in the U of A Golden Bears history. Jarred arrives at every practice with high energy, an upbeat attitude and a willingness to push his athletes to view their own potential. He isn’t afraid to ask for more out of every practice and is the first to celebrate their successes with them. On behalf of the Running Backs, thank you Coach Winkel!
