Regina Rams’ Greg Nesbitt receives 2019 Gino Fracas Award

LAVAL QC  (November 21, 2019) – On Thursday night, Regina Rams coach Greg Nesbitt was named as the recipient of the 2019 Gino Fracas Award at the USPORTS All-Canadian Gala in Quebec, Quebec.

Introduced by Football Canada to pay recognition to the assistant coach that provides endless hours to improve the experience for the players while providing support to other coaches.  This award recognizes the key role assistant coaches play in USPORTS as they are instrumental to the success of the football programs.

Finishing his 16th season instructing the Rams, the Regina, Saskatchewan native has always demonstrated his dedication to the football program and the sport.  Throughout his entire tenure with the Rams, the retired social worker has been a defensive line coach and has served as scout team coordinator.  

Nesbitt’s coaching has made a major impact as two former Rams have enjoyed success at the professional  level – Chicago Bears defensive end Akeem Hicks (Chicago Bears) and Edmonton Eskimos defensive tackle Stefan Charles, who has been with six different National Football League (NFL) teams in the past including the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.

A former Ram himself, Nesbitt was a defensive lineman from 1976-1980.  During that time, he was part of two Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) championships.  

Not only has Nesbitt been successful at the USPORTS level, but also in the high school coaching ranks.  For four seasons, he coached with the Dr. Martin LeBoldus Golden Suns and helped the team win two city championships.

Nesbitt is a NCCP level 3 certified and has coached in several USPORTS East/West Bowls. Furthermore, he was a guest coach with the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Saskatchewan Roughriders for three years.

Football runs in the family as two of Nesbitt’s sons also wore the green and white.  Mat Nesbitt enjoyed a successful four seasons with the team as a linebacker and was awarded the 2007 CIS (now USPORTS) Defensive Player of the Year honours. Danny Nesbitt was also a linebacker and completed his final season last year.

Overall, Nesbitt embodies the true essence of what the Gino Fracas Award stands for as expressed by Rams head coach Steve Bryce.

“Greg has played an integral role in the development of young men for his entire career,” Bryce said.  “Akeem Hicks and Stefan Charles have grown into top Canadian players because of the dedication and hard work  that Greg has shown over the past 16 seasons with the Rams. 

Greg takes pride in his work and has made a difference in the lives of the players he’s instructed throughout the years while earning the respect of the coaches in our football program, the league and nation.”

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Video credit: U SPORTS