Nicholls quits as head coach
Jan. 28, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
What started as a temporary absence from the University of Regina Cougars has become permanent for Carla Nicholls.
On April 17, Nicholls took a leave of absence from her job as head coach of the U of R's track and field and cross-country teams to take a position as a national event group coach for jumps, combined events and hurdles with Athletics Canada.
On Wednesday, the U of R announced Nicholls had resigned from her job with the school. She's to remain full-time with Athletics Canada.
"I don't think I was surprised," said Dick White, the U of R's director of athletics. "We had a lot of conversations before she went on leave that it looked like it could be a job that fit well with her profession and fit well with her family situation.
"At the same time, the way things look when you initially see them isn't always the same when you actually get into them. We wanted to give her the opportunity to explore this situation -- and it turns out that it fits her."
"I'm very excited for Carla," added Bruce McCannel, a former U of R track star who was named the Cougars' interim head coach when Nicholls went on leave.
"I talked to her a lot this year and she seems to be really enjoying her job with Athletics Canada. It's a good opportunity for her to do something she loves to do."
Nicholls, who couldn't be reached for comment, was the Cougars' head coach for seven seasons. On her watch, the Cougars men's track and field team finished second in the 2004 Canada West championships and the women's team was second overall at the '09 conference track and field championships.
White said the search for a new head coach will begin after he receives permission from the university to begin the hiring process. Once he gets that, the job will be posted, a short list will be compiled and interviews will be done -- but probably not before the 2010 CIS championships, March 11-13.
In the meantime, McCannel will continue to run the Cougars' athletics program. Regina's men's track and field team currently is ranked seventh in the CIS, while the women are ranked 10th.
"One of the things that (the next head coach) has to be able to demonstrate is an ability to co-ordinate multiple events ...," White said.
"The next coach will have to recruit and co-ordinate a large team. The delivery of a multi-faceted program is key."
Not surprisingly, McCannel is interested in handling those duties. "I'm excited that there may be an opportunity for me," he said. "I've enjoyed this season and I think it's going very well. I hope that all the hard work I've done and my background with the program will possibly make me the preferred candidate to continue on next year."
McCannel believes a number of candidates will apply for the job -- and he's actually eager to see that happen.
"I've always liked competition," he said with a chuckle.