CIS Football Player Profile: Nick Coutu, York Lions (24 of 26)

Source: Alyson Fisher, York Sports Info 

Name: Nick Coutu
University: York
Hometown: St. Catharines, Ont.
High school / Cegep: Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
Position: Quarterback
Academic program: Psychology
Year of eligibility: 4
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180

Key stats 2010:
7 games played, 83-192, 1,098 total yards (789 passing, 309 rushing), 3 passing touchdowns

PROFILE

A new coaching staff has pumped life into the York University Lions football team, and no returning player on the squad will benefit as much from the changes as starting quarterback Nick Coutu.

The St. Catharines, Ont., native is entering his fourth season with the Lions and has continued to get better in each of his years with the program. A dual threat athlete who is one of the fastest on the team, he was the top offensive player last year while leading the Lions in passing and rushing.

The improvement can be traced to the addition of new offensive coordinator Michael Faulds in the summer prior to last season. Having Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS)’s all-time passing leader as his coach and mentor has had a tremendous impact on Coutu’s game.

“My first two years at York I didn’t have anyone even close to his calibre, and now I have one of the best coaches,” said Coutu of Faulds. “His knowledge and dedication to the game is unmatched and he helped me change my mindset and taught me that if I want to be great I have to work 4-5 hours a day at the position. My best asset now is that I have the mindset for what it takes to succeed.”

Last year it was a new coach and this season Coutu will benefit from a receiving corps that makes up the team’s strongest unit. The Lions return their entire receivers group from last year, including team MVP and leading receiver Jonelle Tolbert as well as Will Austin, Nathaniel Griffith, Jesse Murton and Marc Robinson-Weekes, and the coaching staff also brought in a strong group of young receivers in Devante Hobbs, Skyler Hurst, Curtis Pryce and Brandon Williams that give Coutu plenty of options on offence.

With Coutu’s natural ability, an improved supporting cast and three years of experience under his belt, expectations are high that Coutu will be able to step up and lead the team this year.

“Nick is a tremendous athlete who is passionate about York and the sport of football. We have high expectations for him to lead this offence to victory and I have great confidence in his abilities to succeed,” said head coach Warren Craney.

The next step is for him to prove it on the field, and Coutu’s play will go a long way in determining the success of the Lions this season. Optimism is high with the addition of more than 50 new players and with the opener just around the corner, Coutu is anxious to get back on the field and get to work with his new teammates.

“After the lull of the summer I’m looking forward to getting back into the locker room, seeing my teammates and experiencing the camaraderie that comes with being together again. We’ve all worked hard on our own these last few months and now we get to work together as a team and hopefully enjoy some success.”