Varsity Coaching Staff
Farhan Lalji
Head Coach / Quarterbacks
Coach Lalji is entering his 23rd year of coaching BC High School Football, his eighth as a head coach. This past April, he was named Provincial Scholastic Coach of the Year at the BC Lions Orange Helmet Awards. Prior to launching the NWSS football program, he spent two years as an assistant coach at Vancouver College, with their varsity team reaching the AAA Championship game both years. From 1987 to 2000, Lalji coached at Burnaby Central HS, the last five years as offensive co-ordinator. He is an NCCP Level III certified coach and has been a guest coach at UBC, along with numerous camps in Canada and the USA. Lalji has coached over 40 players that have gone on to play college football. Following the 2004 season he was named runner up for the NFL/CFL National High School Coach of the Year. Lalji is a graduate of SFU and played football at Burnaby Central HS and with the Vancouver Meralomas (BCFC). He is also the president of the BCSSFA and is currently employed as a national reporter for TSN and CTV. Lalji, his wife Mary and son Lukas live in New Westminster.
Chad Oatway
Linebackers, Defensive Coordinator, JV Head Coach
Coach Oatway is in his seventh season of coaching with the Hyacks, and his fourth as JV Head Coach. He is also a certified personal trainer and runs the Hyacks off-season strength and conditioning program. Under his watch, the JVs have reached at least the provincial quarter finals in 3 of the past 4 seasons. Oatway has also been a coach at both the UBC and SFU football camps. A product of the Kamloops HS football program, he was also an outstanding linebacker at the University of British Columbia. Along the way, he also played at Reidley College (CA) and with the Abbotsford Airforce (BCFC). Oatway is a graduate of UBC with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and is a teacher at NWSS. He and his wife Jenn live in New Westminster.
Andrew McKechnie
Offensive Line, Offensive Coordinator
Coach "Mac" is entering his eighteenth year of coaching, his eighth at NWSS. This year he takes over as Offensive Coordinator. His first ten years were spent as an assistant at Burnaby Central, including three years as offensive co-ordinator. He is an NCCP Level II certified coach and has been a staff coach at the Western Canadian All-Star football camp. He played football at Burnaby Central and with the Vancouver Trojans (BCFC). McKechnie has a Bachelor of Technology degree from BCIT and is currently employed as a database analyst for Trapeeze Software. He, his wife Stacey and stepdaughter Justine live in Burnaby.
Bob Marjonovich
Line, JV Defensive Coordinator
Coach "Moj" is in his third season coaching with the Hyacks, coming back to his alma mater (grad '82). His playing career was hilighted by three seasons at UBC (1987-89) including an appearance in the 1987 Vanier Cup. He then went on to coach the T-birds d-line from 1990-94. Bob also played at San Joaquin JC in California (1982) and Western Washington University (1984). Currently Moj is the host of "Sports Action Saturday" on Team 1040 radio.
Colby Fackler
Receivers, JV Offensive Coordinator
Coach Fackler is in his ninth year of coaching, his sixth at NWSS. His playing career included
a season at UBC (1999) and three seasons at College of the Sequoias (CA) from 1996 to 98 where
he was also the captain of the track and field team. Fackler graduated from Burnaby Central HS in
1996 and was named AA Provincial All-star, Conference Offensive player of the Year in his senior season
and Athlete of the Year in the city of Burnaby. He is currently the Sr Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Abbotsford Heat. He and his wife Bronwyn live in Vancouver.
Curtis Galick
Defensive Backs, Special teams
Coach Galick begins his second season of coaching, both at NWSS. He was a 5 year starter at UBC (1993-97) earning Canada West All-star honors his senior season. That season Galick was a member of the T-birds National Championship team, before being drafted in the first round of the 1998 CFL draft by Saskatchewan. He then signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks and played in NFL Europe (Frankfurt) before returning to play in the CFL with Saskatchewan, BC and Toronto. Galick now works in family the business, Winder's Electric Company Ltd, in repairs and sales.
Darnell Sikorski
Running backs, Special teams
Coach Sikorski begins his first full season of coaching, after joining the Hyacks staff in each of the past two seasons in late-October. He spent the 2009 season playing LB at UBC after spending a season as an RB in the BCFC. Sikorski played at NWSS in 2006 and 2007. He had an outstanding senior season, earning Provincial all-star honors at LB and being named Defensive Player of the Year in the AAA Western Conference. Sikorski is currently a student at UBC and lives in Vancouver.
Dave Sands
Wide receivers, Defensive backs
Coach Sands is in his 15th season of coaching football, his first with the Hyacks. His coaching stops include a season at SFU (1997) where he coached the defensive backss. Dave was also head coach at Aldergrove secondary (1992-95) and an assistant at Centennial school (2000-02) under Kevin Chin. As a player he was a receiver at McMaster University and played high school football at Highland Secondary in Dundas, Ontario. Dave is currently the principal at Castle Park Elementary in Coquitlam. He has 4 children: daughters Taylor and Kendall and sons Tristan and Kai.
Renaldo Leonard
Defensive Line
Coach Leonard is in his first season of coaching with the Hyacks, having recently relocated to the Lower Mainland from Texas. He played college football at Texas Tech from 1987 to 1990 as a defensive back, before graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Leonard also coached in the Lubbock Youth Football League in 2006-2007. He is a Sales Executive for an American Special Events company, Member's Only Automotive. Leonard has three children Braxton, Myles and Ramsey. He currently lives in Coquitlam.