By Chris Zorbas

Coming off of four years without a playoff appearance, there is new blood and new excitement at Alumni Field as the Lancers sit just ten days away from starting camp for their 51st season of varsity football in the border city.
 
Early in 2019, Jean-Paul Circelli was named the fifth head coach in Lancer Football history. Coming from a winning team at Western, where Circelli, along with his brother Joe, who is now on staff at Windsor, captured a Vanier Cup. Also joining Circelli in Windsor is his father Mike who has built up a championship resume coaching at London's Catholic Central. Together, the family trio are looking to establish a winning culture for the blue and gold.
 
If you ask what needs to change, you'll hear three words. "The Lancer way," said Circelli. "For us, it's not a series of rules or guidelines, it's just how we do things. Respect is a big part of it, how we handle one another, how we speak to one another, the language we use, how we treat women, it's just general respect. Also, humility knowing that at the end of the day we're only as good as our weakest link. What I do, you do and vice versa…if we all want success we have to be pulling in the same direction. Another big one is credibility, you have to be able to do what you say you're going to do."
 
To address these issues, the Lancers are implementing a leadership council. This group will be comprised of players who are not captains, but leadership will still be expected. As Circelli explains, it's one thing when a head coach is on a player for missing a workout or class, it's another thing when players hold each other accountable.
 
With their eyes set on the future, the staff has bought in 30 commits in their first recruiting class.  According to Circelli, it's not about X's and O's. "When I talk to parents and players, I think part of it is the standard of performance, the Lancer way. We have a plan for what we're doing," explains the coach. "Another big thing is a lot of teams try and sell 'family' well, I've got the family here, my brother, my dad. To have three Circellis here is a big deal, we have a great reputation outside this city. We're really looking for guys that are going to persevere, we're not going to get on you for not being the most athletic, but passion and enthusiasm because enthusiasm is contagious. Ultimately we're building a program based on love."
 
From a local standpoint, the immediate area is very important as Circelli singled out Windsor, London, Hamilton and Burlington as the best areas in Ontario for football and underlined the importance of building a fence around Windsor and keeping local talent in the community.
 
As for what's going to change on the field, it was tough to answer given camp hasn't started, however one position group was singled out for immediate improvement.
 
"This is going to be O-Line U," exclaimed Circelli. "Having two guys like Randy Beardy and my brother who both played in the CFL, my background with the offensive line, how many teams have three guys watching that position? Some may have a community coach but he's not there all the time. It's such a difficult position to coach but with three guys here all day, it won't be ignored."
 
As far as goals this season, the focus is on the little things for year one.
 
"It depends what success looks like to you," explained Circelli. "Are we developing in house talent, are we doing better with alumni, are we outreaching to the community, are we spending enough times with our family? Ultimately we're trying to create a positive experience for the student-athlete and the scores will take care of itself."
 
"We will prep for everyone the same way, we do the little things well, we stay healthy, I think we'll have a lot of success."
 
Coach Circelli and the Lancers open the 2019 season on Sunday, August 25th when they host the York Lions at 7:00pm at Alumni Field. Season tickets can be purchased online at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.