Mark Townsend, who coached the Mount Douglas Rams to dynasty status in B.C. high school football, is the new head coach of the Westshore Rebels of the B.C. Football Conference.
Townsend replaces Dexter Janke, the former CFL pro and Grey Cup champion, who is leaving to become head coach of the York University Lions in U Sports. Janke guided the Rebels to a 12-1 overall record last season and to the BCFC regular-season and playoff titles before losing to the Saskatoon Hilltops in the national junior championship Canadian Bowl.
“It was a great move for Dexter and we were fortunate to have Mark available at the right time,” said Rebels president Rob Lervold.
Townsend coached the Rams to six B.C. high school titles in his 19 seasons at Mount Douglas and sent numerous players on to U Sports and the CFL.
“Mark’s success speaks for itself. There are Mount Douglas players all over the place, including on our team,” said Lervold.
Townsend most recently coached the running backs at Kealakehe High School on the Big Island of Hawaii.
“I am ecstatic about this opportunity to be a head coach again and honoured to join a Rebels team with a rich history and a bright future,” said Townsend.
“Our philosophies aligned. We are going to be the hardest working team and one that plays an exciting brand of football of which the community can be proud.”
The Rebels have played in the Cullen Cup BCFC championship game five times in the last seven seasons. The club has been to the Canadian Bowl national junior final three times in 2003, 2016 and 2023 and remains in the hunt for its first national championship.
The BCFC seasons runs from July to October.
