Bisons Embrace Changing of the Guard as 2026 Season Approaches

There are some familiar faces missing from the Manitoba Bisons football roster this season.

After years of veteran leadership helping establish the identity of the program, a significant number of fifth-year players have moved on, taking with them plenty of experience and production.

For Bisons head coach Stan Pierre, there is no pretending that experience can simply be replaced.

"You don't simply replace that experience overnight," says Pierre. "We've lost established players at some important positions, and that creates opportunities for the next group to step forward."
That opportunity is at the heart of Manitoba's 2026 season.

A New Look at Quarterback

The biggest change comes at quarterback, where Cole Anseeuw takes over following the departure of Jackson Tachinski.

While this will be Anseeuw's first season as the Bisons' starting quarterback, he enters the season with valuable experience. He has attended two Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camps and saw meaningful reps with Manitoba last season.

Now, he gets the opportunity to take ownership of the offence.

"He has looked super sharp in camp," says Pierre.

Anseeuw's ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs gives Manitoba an added dimension offensively, while his familiarity with the program has allowed him to grow into the leadership responsibilities that come with the position.

"He's continued to grow as a leader and has earned the trust of the guys around him," says Pierre.

He'll also have a proven target to work with.

Nathan Udoh returns to the Bisons after spending time with the Montreal Alouettes, bringing experience, athleticism and playmaking ability back to the Manitoba receiving corps.

"Having a veteran receiver like him is especially valuable with Cole taking over at quarterback," says Pierre. "He gives Cole a reliable target and brings another explosive element to our offence."

Physical, Fast and Relentless

While the Bisons have lost plenty of veteran experience, they believe the next group is ready for its opportunity.

Many of the younger players have spent several seasons within the program, learning the system and preparing for expanded roles. Manitoba has also added talented young players through recruiting who will push for playing time immediately.

The result, Pierre believes, could be a younger, faster and more athletic Bisons team.

"We don't want to completely change who we are," he says. "We still want to be a physical football team."

That means running the football, creating explosive plays, playing aggressive defence and making special teams a difference-maker.

"We want this team to be known for being physical, fast and relentless," says Pierre. "When teams play Manitoba, we want them to know they're going to have to compete for four quarters."

Defensively, veteran defensive end Jerome Fouillard will help provide stability up front. His experience and ability to impact the game off the edge will be important as younger players take on larger roles.
"Having that veteran presence up front makes everyone around him better," says Pierre.

Linebacker Nic Pereira will also be counted on to provide leadership in the middle of the defence, while Owen Miller takes over the safety duties.

Miller has embraced the increased responsibility throughout camp and will play an important role in organizing the Bisons' defence on the back end.

The Difference Is in the Details

If Manitoba is going to take the next step in 2026, Pierre believes consistency will be critical.

Last season, the Bisons showed stretches where they could play with anyone in Canada West. The challenge now is doing it for four quarters — and doing it consistently.

"The biggest area for us is consistency and finishing games," says Pierre.

In a conference where the margin between winning and losing is often razor thin, a turnover, penalty, missed assignment or special teams mistake can be the difference.

That has made situational football a major focus throughout the off-season.

The Bisons have placed an increased emphasis on third downs, red-zone situations, the two-minute game, field position and special teams.

The goal is to become a more disciplined and detailed football team that can execute when games are on the line.

Building the Next Generation

The challenge isn't only about what happens on the field.

With so many younger players stepping into important roles, Manitoba wants to develop a connected and accountable group. Veterans have been challenged to take ownership, while younger players are being asked to establish their own identity within the program.

"We want guys playing for each other and understanding that individual success comes from the success of the group," says Pierre.

The early signs have been encouraging.

Practices have been physical and competitive, and the young players have continued to improve as they gain more reps.

For Pierre, success in 2026 will ultimately be measured by how much this group improves and how consistently it competes.

"Every team wants to be playing meaningful football late in the year, but we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves," he says. "Our focus is on becoming the best version of this team that we can be."
That means competing every day — in practice, meetings, the weight room and on game day.

If the Bisons can stack good days together, develop their young players and respond to adversity as a group, Pierre believes the results will follow.

This is a changing-of-the-guard season for Manitoba football.

Some very good players have moved on. Now, the next generation gets its opportunity to establish itself.

"At the end of the season, if we can look back and say that we competed every day, continued to get better, played for each other and represented Manitoba football the right way, we'll feel good about what this group accomplished."

The opportunity is there.

Now the Bisons get to find out what they can do with it.