For 32 years, defensive backs coach Richard Urbanovich dedicated his free time to Bisons football. Referred to by head coach Brian Dobie as  a "grinder" who's "hands on and truly cares about the young men he works with," he is the epitome of what the team's signature is all about.
 
"He coaches from the gut, he coaches from the heart and he brings so much of himself to the program," Dobie added.
 
The 2022 season marked the last in the legendary coaching career of Urbanovich. During his time on staff, the Herd advanced to two Vanier Cups, winning in 2007. On September 23^rd, he will be honoured at the team's annual homecoming brunch. Click here to purchase your ticket to the Bison football homecoming brunch.
 
"I don't like being in the spotlight, I usually stay away from it, but this I'm looking forward to," Urbanovich says passionately.
 
"It kind of makes me feel that all those years I coached as volunteer – I've always said I'm just here to coach the heck out of my guys – having the culmination of that after all these years and seeing as many guys as I can, that to me is what I'm looking forward to."
 
'I owe a lot to Brian'
Urbanovich's football history will always be tied to Dobie. The latter was head coach for Churchill when the former was in grade eight. It was there that the two began a connection that remains to this day.
 
"I owe a lot to Brian," remarks Urbanovich.
 
"It didn't matter who you were or where you came from, or what athletic ability you had, everyone had a chance to play at that school. It changed a lot of lives there, and the whole school was football. I wanted to be a part of that."



Never the biggest player on the field, Urbanovich made up for his smaller stature with immense heart, passion and dedication, all qualities he continues to live his life by.
 
Following his playing days at Churchill, he strapped on the pads for Fort Garry at the junior football level. In the 1980s, Winnipeg had a thriving junior football scene with four local teams, and Urbanovich, along with Bisons defensive coordinator Stan Pierre and offensive coordinator Vaughan Mitchell all played for Fort Garry.
 
After trying out for the Bisons, Urbanovich transitioned to the coaching ranks, gaining experience at a variety of levels while still playing senior football and rugby.
 
First, he coached two years for the Fort Rouge Packers bantam team alongside Lance Glover, another former Bisons coach. Afterwards, he was reunited with Dobie at Churchill, where he coached for four years.
 
In 1990, Scott Spurgeon was hired as head coach for Manitoba and he consulted with Dobie on local coaches to bring in. Urbanovich was a no-brainer.
 
"Brian recommended me to Scott. Brian at that time said 'he's the best DB coach in the province.' And I had been on numerous provincial teams as an apprentice coach, and I worked my way up the ladder. There were times when I was the only one there and I was the only coach, so I said okay, I'm going to go with it. It took off from there."
 
The team experienced success early on, going 6-2 in 1991. Running back Dominic Zagari was voted as national Rookie of the Year after amassing 871 rushing yards, then a program record which he went on to break two more times. Zagari is still the only Bison to be named national Rookie of the Year.
 
Overall, ten players were named Canada West All-Stars in 1991, including Pierre. In the secondary, Urbanovich's group had two All-Canadians, in Jayson Dzikowicz and Bruce Dornn, while defensive lineman Jason Rauhaus and linebacker Mike Watson were named First Team All-Canadians. Manitoba finished first in the conference, losing in the Hardy Cup to Saskatchewan.
 
In 1996, Dobie joined Urbanovich, taking over as head coach from Ron Lancaster Jr. The team had just three wins in Dobie's first three seasons, but a consecutive string of impressive recruiting classes set the tone for what was to come.
 
Local linebackers Scott Coe (1998) and Joey Mikawoz (1999) instantly made a difference on defence, and between 1999-2001, the Herd won 18 regular season games, advancing to the national championship in 2001 after a 7-1 regular season record with 11 All-Canadians.
 
Individually, in 2000, Mikawoz set a then Bisons record for tackles in a season with 65 (since broken by DJ Lalama in 2016 with 72.5). He earned the Presidents Trophy as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player in Canadian college football, pacing a dominant defence that led the conference in quarterback sacks with 25 while also allowing a conference-best 17 points per game.
Mikawoz was joined on the All-Canadian team by 6'3" cornerback Darnell Edwards, another of the Bisons' key 1999 recruits out of Montreal who led Canada West in interceptions in 2000 and 2001.

"From 2000 to 2002 we had some great players that went onto the CFL. Darnell Edwards is one that stands out, he was just an outstanding athlete," notes Urbanovich. "He just wanted to be coached. He was one of my favourite guys."

Manitoba's path to the Vanier Cup was nothing short of memorable, as UM took part in an all-time classic against OUA champion McMaster in the national semi. The game was tied 6-6 until the 3:55 mark of the fourth, where quarterback Shane Munson – a Canada West All-Star who threw for just under 2100 yards – broke the game wide open with a 57-yard rushing touchdown on a quarterback draw. That ignited a 21-point outburst and a 27-6 victory.

'It was probably the best group that I've ever had'
Just six years after appearing in their first Vanier Cup since 1970, the Herd were back again, but this time they left no doubt, winning 28-14 to cap off a perfect season.
Urbanovich's secondary was paced by Bob Reist at the safety position. The relentless defensive back, who played from 2003-07, is tied for fifth all-time in program history in pass breakups, with 13. He was a three-year captain and brought an intensity that rubbed off on everyone around him.

Another key piece was Mike Howard, who also played from 2003-07, recording ten pass breakups. Standing at 5'9" he wasn't the tallest or biggest guy on the field, but much like the rest of the group, he had heart. He tied the Vanier Cup record with three interceptions, two of which came on-back-to-back drives, and was named MVP.

"All the guys that I coached in that Vanier group, it was probably the best group that I've ever had," says Urbanovich.
 
"Mike Howard, he would just go through a wall for you. He would just say 'coach what do you need me to do?' And he would do it. All those guys, I wouldn't say they were the most athletic group I've ever had in the secondary, but they all played so well together and they were all super close and they would do anything for you. That's the super gratifying part. Some players were leaders, some were quiet but everybody worked together to achieve the goal."
 
'You're coaching for the outcome, not the income'
In October of 2022, Urbanovich coached in his final game for the Bisons, a win at home. He was joined by his wife and three kids, leading the cheer and getting the game ball and Gatorade dump.


 
Their support over the last three decades is not lost on him. Balancing a full-time job, family life and coaching is not easy, but they have remained steadfast. It's something Urbanovich will touch on when he speaks at homecoming, while reconnecting with other members of his "second family."
 
"Family support is everything, and I'll mention that on the 23^rd too. You can't do this without getting support at home. And the Bisons coaches, Stan and Brian are my brothers. Brian was my teacher, my coach – I coached with him – and he was my friend. He will be a life-long friend. Being able to work with all of us together, it's a second family. Volunteer coaching, you're coaching for the outcome, not the income."