University of British Columbia Men's Football

Nill joins the Thunderbirds after nine years as head coach of the University of Calgary. Prior to that he spent eight seasons as head coach at Saint Marys University. In 17 seasons as a CIS head coach, Nill has a career record (regular season and playoffs) of 130-47. Over the last nine years, Nill led the Dinos to three Vanier Cup appearances (2009, 2010 & 2013) and a record six straight Hardy Cup Championships (2008-13) as the Canada Wests top team. In each of his last seven seasons in Calgary, the Dinos won at least five regular season games and one playoff game. From 2007-2014, the Dinos had 23 players selected in the Canadian Football League draft, eight of which were taken in the first round. Nill won the Frank Tindall Trophy as CIS Coach of the Year in 1999 and was a finalist in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2012, and 2013. He has been named Canada West coach of the year on three occasions: 2009, 2012, and 2013. A native of Hanna, AB, Nills first head coaching job in the CIS was with Saint Marys University in Halifax, NS. In eight years with the Huskies, he led them to a record six-straight Atlantic University Sport Championships (1999-2004), four trips to the Vanier Cup (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), and two Vanier Cup Championships (2001 & 2002). He takes over a Thunderbirds program that celebrated its 90th year this past January and has won three Vanier Cups. However, the program hasnt won a conference and Vanier Cup since 1997. Nills CIS coaching career began at St. Francis Xavier as a defensive coordinator in 1992. He spent six years with the X-Men, helping them to a Vanier Cup appearance in 1996. During his playing days, Nill suited up for the Calgary Dinos from 1980 through 1982. He was drafted by the Montreal Concordes in the third round, 19th overall in the 1983 CFL Draft. He played in the CFL from 1983-88 with Montreal, Hamilton, and Winnipeg. Nill graduated from Concordia University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts and has a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Education from St. Francis Xavier University. Blake Nills Career Coaching Record