The Manitoba Bisons enter the 2025 Canada West football season in unfamiliar territory. Not because they're no longer contenders to sit at the top of the conference, but because they'll be chasing a Vanier Cup without longtime head coach Brian Dobie on the sideline.
After more than a quarter-century of shaping the Bisons' football program, Dobie stepped down at the end of last season. In January, defensive coordinator Stan Pierre was appointed to the head coach position. Pierre now inherits a roster that finished first in the CanWest but fell short of their championship aspirations.
Last Season's Meteoric Rise and Untimely Fall
The Bisons put together a dominant 7-1 regular season record last year to earn the top spot in the West. Manitoba scored 251 points while allowing 205 — the only team in CanWest with a positive point differential.
Unfortunately, their ability to outscore their opponents didn't show during the playoffs. Hosting the Canada West semifinal at Princess Auto Stadium, Manitoba fell 25-28 to the Regina Rams, who went on to win the Hardy Cup before bowing out against Laval in the Mitchell Bowl.
For the Bisons, it was a painful reminder that regular-season dominance doesn't always translate in November.
Pierre Steps In
Stan Pierre's promotion is more than a coaching change; it signals the start of a new chapter.
Pierre is no stranger to the Bisons' program. As defensive coordinator and assistant coach, Pierre was instrumental in building the Bisons' identity alongside Dobie. And unlike many first-year head coaches, Pierre isn't inheriting a rebuild. He has an established quarterback in Tachinski and a veteran offensive line returning; there's the benefit of continuity for Pierre to work with.
The challenge won't be convincing his team they can compete — it will be pushing them over the hump after last year's early finish.
Well-oiled Offense
Along with Pierre, Blair Atkinson joins the Bisons as the program's first full-time Offensive Coordinator. But, like Pierre, Atkinson is far from a stranger to the brown and gold. He most recently served as receivers coach for the 2024 season.
But, with over 20 years spent with the Bisons, Atkinson, a former Bisons player himself, brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a passion for player development to further the program's mission.
Instrumental in the program's last Vanier Cup Championship run in 2007 and a Hardy Cup in 2014, Atkinson knows what it's like to win and what it takes to piece together a championship-winning offense.
At the centre of this offense will be Bisons veteran quarterback, Jackson Tachinski. The 2025 CanWest Player of the Year and Manitoba's Male Athlete of the Year finished last season second in the conference in efficiency at 150.6.
Tachinski added to his stand-out season by setting career highs with 1662 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and 570 rushing yards. His career season cemented him in program history as his total 1305 career regular season rushing yards are the most for any quarterback in program history.
And there's only room to grow for Tachinski as the bite of last fall's loss continues to push him towards improvement, with a pursuit of the pros following the conclusion of his already illustrious U SPORTS career.
To help Tachinski on the Bisons' offensive line, four starters return in Sean Rowe, Mark Rauhaus, Matt Stokman, and Victor Olaniran, who were instrumental in setting a program record of 2,016 rushing yards last year.
Additionally, six other veterans will return. With a centerpiece of the team in Tachinski and an experienced offense well-versed in the Bisons' systems, they are well-equipped to repeat the success of last year and make a deep push into the playoffs.
Defense
While Pierre has landed the head coach role, he will still serve as defensive coordinator. Not only does this provide continuity, but his experience in producing high-performing defensive players will continue to grow the program into a sustainable force to be reckoned with.
Special Teams
The third pillar of this seemingly undefeatable Bisons' squad is their special teams. Last year, Manitoba led the CanWest with a punting average of 42.7 yards from Ben George. Supplementing that, we saw Maya Turner convert on 75 per cent of her field goals, also good for first in the vonference.
A new face on the line will be Robert Lasebnik, a product of the Calgary Colts in the CJFL, he will be utilized as an option to punt as Turner continues to develop and George graduates.
Canada West Landscape
Manitoba’s path back to the Hardy Cup won’t be easy. Saskatchewan continues to bite at the heels of whoever's at the top, with depth and consistency across the roster. UBC continues to build around one of the most explosive passing games in the country, which has received a huge boost with the acquisition of Drew Viotto from the NCAA.
Alberta and Regina are closing the gap, and Calgary, while still rebuilding, is too historically dangerous to overlook.
The Bisons aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. With how volatile the conference standings are every week, every team in Canada West knows they can break through. And with the success of last year, Manitoba may have painted the largest target on its back.
Questions for the Bisons
- How quickly can Pierre stamp his identity as head coach? Continuity helps, but leadership transitions always bring change.
- With Atkinson at the helm and a veteran O-line, can the offense convert opportunities and consistently turn out points on possessions?
- Will a lack of depth on the edges of the defensive line be the weakness opposing teams can exploit?
- Is Tachinski ready for the next step? He has the tools to be among the conference’s top quarterbacks, but his performance in playoff moments may define his legacy.
The Bisons are far from underdogs in 2025. After years of inconsistency, last season’s first-place finish showed that Manitoba belongs among the conference’s elite. Now, the goal is proving it wasn’t a one-year wonder.
Dobie’s departure marks the end of an era, but Pierre’s arrival signals fresh energy and a renewed urgency.
For Manitoba, the mission is clear: build on regular-season success, win when it matters most, and prove the Herd is ready to move from contender to champion.