A veteran of 27 seasons with Bisons football, long-time defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Stan Pierre has been announced as the newest head coach of the program. Pierre takes over from Brian Dobie, who retired at the end of the 2024 season, after 29 years as bench boss.
 
"There is no question that Stan is one of the best football coaches and minds in the country of Canada. I consider him to be one of the best friends that I've had in my life. When the chips have been down, he's been an incredible friend above all else," said Dobie.
 
"Our partnership over three decades has built this program to where it is now. Stan is exactly the leader to continue to move Bisons football upward and forward."
 
A Canada West All-Star as a member of the Bisons in 1991, Pierre began coaching with the Herd in 1998. After one year as linebackers coach, he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator and added Assistant Head Coach to his title in beginning in 2005.
 
Since 1998, Pierre has coached in two U SPORTS National Championships (2001, 2007), winning one (2007). He has been a part of six Canada West conference regular season titles, including three undefeated regular seasons (2002, 2006, 2007) along with three Hardy Cup Championships (2001, 2007, 2014) and two Mitchell Bowl (U SPORTS Semi-Final) Championships (2001, 2007).
 
During his coaching career, 23 of Pierre's players have progressed to play in the CFL (the seventh-most of any defensive coordinator in U SPORTS history), and two have gone on to play in the NFL (Israel Idonije, David Onyemata).
 
Pierre has also coached seven different student-athletes who've won major national awards, which is tied for the most of any U SPORTS defensive coordinator. Additionally, Pierre's defence has produced 46 Canada West All-Stars and 28 U SPORTS All-Canadians.
 
"I am honored and thrilled to be named the next Head Football Coach at the University of Manitoba," said Pierre.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor the young men and women in our program as they strive to achieve their goals in academics and athletics."