May 16, 2016

The McMaster Marauders have plucked Greg Knox from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ staff to be their new head coach.

The Marauders announced today that Knox, who was to enter his second season on the Bomber staff and first as the defensive backs coach, will replace Stefan Ptaszek, who left McMaster earlier this month to become the new offensive coordinator with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Knox is very familiar with the Marauders program, having spent nine years there as the defensive coordinator, including being a part of the Vanier Cup title in 2011 – a squad led by Ptaszek.

A native of Peterborough, Ont., Knox played his college football at Wilfrid Laurier, was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in 1992, and was part of two Grey Cup championship teams in ’92 and ’98.

Knox replaces Ptaszek, who spent the last 10 years at McMaster and posted a 73-29 record, including the playoffs. He was OUA Coach of the Year twice (2012, 2014) and named CIS Coach of the Year once (2012).

Bombers Head Coach Mike O’Shea is looking at options to replace Knox, with rookie camps and main camps scheduled to start next week. The club can also lean on the knowledge of defensive coordinator Richie Hall, who played defensive back for nine years in the CFL before beginning his long career in coaching.

The Bombers’ defensive staff currently includes Hall, defensive line coach Todd Howard, and linebackers coach Glen Young.