McMaster welcomes back Stefan Ptaszek as head football coach
McMaster is naming Stefan Ptaszek as its new head football coach, welcoming the Vanier Cup champion back to lead the Marauders team.
“Stef Ptaszek is a proven leader who embodies the qualities of integrity, respect and excellence that are at the core of McMaster Athletics and Recreation and the football program,” says Sean Van Koughnett, associate vice president (students and learning) and dean of students. “When we undertook the process to find a new coach, Stef was at the top of our list.”
Ptaszek returns to McMaster where he led the team to its first and only Vanier Cup championship. He was head football coach from 2006-2015, winning the national championship in 2011 and returning to the Vanier Cup game in 2012 and again in 2014. His teams won Yates Cups three times during his first tenure as McMaster coach. He held the record for longest winning streak in CIS history – 21 games, spanning the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
He was a wide receiver on the Laurier squad that won the championship in 1991 and was offensive co-ordinator on Laurier’s 2005 Vanier Cup winning team.
“It is an honour and privilege to return to my McMaster home,” says Ptaszek. “This is a university with a deeply-held cross campus commitment to students and community. Football is a part of the McMaster student experience where teaching and learning is reinforced and character, leadership and team work are strengthened.”
Coach Ptaszek returns to McMaster following a season spent as the Offensive Coordinator at the University of British Columbia and two years as Offensive Coordinator and Receivers coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is a two-time OUA Coach of the year and was CIS Coach of the year in 2012.
“Welcoming Coach Ptaszek back to campus is great news for our entire community,” says Mark Alfano, associate director Athletics and Recreation. “His passion for McMaster and his proven leadership abilities will benefit all our students.”
“I am looking forward to leading a team of exceptional student-athletes,” Ptaszek says. “This is a dedicated group of Marauders who are ready to continue their education and to build on past success. Let’s get started!”
