Retirement Q&A: Coach Connolly reflects after retiring from 33-year coaching career across Canada
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After six seasons at the helm of the MacEwan Griffins men's basketball program – part of a 33-year career as a basketball coach across Canada – Mike Connolly has announced his retirement.
The veteran bench boss will wrap up his tenure with MacEwan at the end of February.
While he tried to keep the decision quiet going into the Griffins' final weekend of the regular season at the University of Alberta Feb. 14-15, word started leaking out amongst those close to him.
"It was pretty surreal," said Connolly as the seconds ticked down on his final game last Saturday. "Even to be with Barnaby (Craddock, Golden Bears head coach), an assistant with me at the U of L, who I've known for a long time (was special). The referees, you form relationships with. I had some of my former players stop by. Some people knew and then some people blabbed it, and it got around.
"I was just trying to keep it quiet because I wanted the kids to focus on the job they had to do – just play the game and then we could deal with changes afterwards. The kids played hard all weekend.
"It's kind of surreal. It's done. It was quick, it was emotional. Now we move forward. I think the team is in great hands with what they have. Who knows? It could be another young coach who comes in here, they connect and if they all work together, they could do some good things because they've got all the pieces coming back."
After finishing a playing career at Lakehead University (1985-89), Connolly began his coaching career as an assistant for the University of Toronto (1992-95; 1999) and the University of Victoria (1995-99). He then moved to Alberta to become head coach at Medicine Hat College (2000-02), the University of Lethbridge (2002-09), Keyano College (2009-13) and NAIT (2013-19) prior to taking the Griffins' job.
His resume includes national championships with Victoria (1997) and NAIT (2016), and three ACAC coach of the year awards (2001, 2002, 2014).
"We wish Mike all the best in his retirement," said MacEwan Athletics Director Joel Mrak. "We thank him for his contributions to the men's basketball program at MacEwan. He's brought in a solid group of players, who have a bright future in the game, and in life thanks to his mentorship.
"We are grateful for everything he has given to the basketball community over his career, and we wish him nothing but the best in his well-earned retirement."
The search for a new Griffins men's basketball head coach will begin in March.
Mike Connolly gives instructions during a time out in his first game as Griffins head coach against Mount Royal in November 2019 (Robert Antoniuk photo).
Enjoy a Q&A interview with Mike Connolly below:
When you look back at all your years (as a coach), can you reflect on the beginning to now and everything in between?
"I was fortunate enough to basically start in 1992 as a full-time assistant at U of T. I was able to get to UVic and do the national coaching institute. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a team that won a national championship and went to nationals a couple of times. And U of T, we had the same experience. Then I started in 1999 in Medicine Hat – came to Alberta and I've been in Alberta ever since. I've been a head coach and growing, having issues, dealing with stuff, moving forward, keeping things going. I'm lucky that I've been able to do something that I love to do for basically my whole life."
You've obviously given a ton to the game of basketball. What has it given to you?
"It's helped me grow, even as a person. Every year, there's something new where you become more empathetic, you become more understanding, you become better at human behaviour and relationships. It's been fulfilling to watch people grow and see people develop. It's thrilling to see people that you've coached and hear about their successful lives. That's special. It gives me something special."
During your time at MacEwan, what stands out as your favourite moments and highlights?
"The individual successes. Matty (Osunde), seeing him succeed and the young rookies coming in – watching Joel (Seke) develop and grow. I think it's been really nice to watch Dami (Osuma), Milan (Jaksic) and Job (Janda) grow as men, not just improve as basketball players, but starting as rookies, taking over the team and being leaders. Now, going into their fifth year, they're fully prepared to move forward and have success. Watching those kids have their individual successes has been really special. That's all we can ask for. We would love to have more team wins, but I think the guys competed hard, played hard and battled. There's not just winning the game, but there's other successes that they have. That's been nice to see."
I know you met with the players and let them know. What kind of advice do you have for them moving forward?
"I said to them, 'you're prepared. You've improved, you've gotten better individually and are getting better as a team.' Maybe we're a year behind in the overall plan of things, but I said, 'you've got everything going good for you. Now you've got your school going good for you.' And I said, 'you're silly not to stay together and own this team, run this team and be the owners of this team, and do the right things.' Because they know what to do, what not to do and we have a decent culture. They're in fine shape to continue to grow and work with someone who comes in to lead them."
What are your future plans? Do you plan to stay involved in basketball in some way?
"As of right now, I'm lucky enough to be able to say I'm retired. And I live with my mom, so I'm fortunate to be able to take care of her for the rest of her days. I have another grandkid on the way. I'm looking forward to being a grand-dad and possibly in the near future moving closer to them, being one big happy family and enjoying the rest of my life. Maybe one day I'll be coaching the grandkids or helping them. Who knows?"
Anything else you'd like to say to sum up your time at MacEwan?
"I just want to thank everybody at MacEwan for my time there. Everyone was supportive. We went through some tough times, but people stuck with the guys. I think we see improvement. I just think the future's bright there and it's just waiting to be taken and seized. I just want to thank everybody for the opportunity to work at a great institution."
Mike Connolly coached 97 games at MacEwan over the past six seasons - the fifth-most in the program's 50-year history (James Maclennan photo).
