Bison Sports and the Bison football program remember former Bison football head coach Ron Lancaster Jr. He was 50 years old.

“I knew him through the football world and he was my predecessor here at Bison Football. He was a great guy and worked with him while I was a high school coach during his time at Manitoba. When I think of Ron Jr., I think of him as the consummate football coach who earned respect and was a true Canadian coach. He coached at all levels from high school to university and CFL and had success. From our Bison Football family to Ron Jr.'s family, we wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy on his passing,” reflected current Bison Football Head Coach Brian Dobie.

Lancaster Jr. was the son of Canadian Football League (CFL) legend and former CFL head coach the late Ron Lancaster. Ron Jr. (known also as RD) was a head coach with the Manitoba Bisons football program for three seasons from 1993-95. In those three seasons, the Bisons went 2-6, 3-5 and 2-6 for an overall Bison coaching record of 8-16 (.333% winning percentage).

During his Bison tenure, Lancaster Jr. coached numerous players with conference and national accolades. These players included the CIS all-time leader in rushing and three-time CIS First Team All-Canadian Dominic Zagari, CFL player and 1994 Canada West Defensive Player of the Year Wade Miller plus there were five total CIS All-Canadians and 12 Canada West All-Stars selected from Manitoba during his three years.

After Manitoba, Lancaster Jr. continued coaching at the CFL and local levels. He was a CFL assistant coach with the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers and had been coaching junior and high school football for the last six years (since 2007) in Hamilton. During his CFL coaching career, Lancaster Jr. went to five Grey Cup games and won three (Toronto in 1991, Hamilton in 1999 and in Edmonton in 2005).