By Adam Donnelly

Kamloops Broncos part ways with head coach

Oct 19, 2018 | 5:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Press Release from the Kamloops Broncos came down just before 11:00 am Friday, stating the club and their head coach were parting ways. The phrasing was diplomatic – “Brad Yamaoka’s contract with the Kamloops Broncos has expired.” According to Broncos Club President Dino Bernardo, the decision on Yamaoka’s departure was made as a group.

“We had a meeting with Brad last night, and it was discussed between Brad and the board,” Bernardo explained. “Four years is a long time to be dedicated and put in as much time as Brad did. It’s a lot of work as a head coach.”

In those four seasons with Yamaoka at the helm, the Broncos won 9 games, including a 5-win season in his inaugural year as head coach. In 2016 and 2017 the team had tough seasons, winning 2 games and losing 8 in each of those years. 2018 was the teams worst year in a decade, as they matched a franchise low in wins – zero – set back in 2008.

“The win-loss record wasn’t part of it,” Yamaoka explained. “It was just time for me to move on. I’m getting tired of recruiting all off-season. It’s basically been four years of non-stop football, for me.”

One of the challenges the club has faced has been recruiting and retaining top talent. Players like QB Colby Henkel and wideout Maximilian Joseph both played with the club in 2017. Both talented athletes left for “greener” pastures – Joseph to the Langley Rams and Henkel to the University of Windsor Lancers in the CIS.

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“Retention has always been the biggest issue we’ve had here,” Yamaoka said. “You seem to see guys that get All-Star awards, and they’re in their first or second years and they’re getting noticed… There always is greener pastures out there, but sometimes it’s not always the right choice.”

Bernardo has some thoughts on how the Broncos might be able to keep some of those players in town.

“We need to be financially sound, and on par with what some of these other teams are doing,” Bernardo said. “We need to be able to offer scholarships, offer assistance with housing, help find these kids better jobs.”

After the departure of GM Jan Antons and their Head Coach in less than one week, Bernardo and rest of the Broncos board have a busy offseason ahead of them. Dino says the team hopes to have a GM in place before any decision is made on who will coach the team in 2019.

“I think it’s going to be dependant on who the candidates are for GM,” Bernardo explained. “It’s a little bit of “all hands on deck” here. We need everyone to be doing a little bit of everything.”

For Yamaoka, whose name is synonymous with football in Kamloops, he wants to stay involved in the game.

“How that plays out, I don’t know,” Yamaoka said. “I’m just looking forward to a winter where I can relax and hang out with my family and not have to spend every evening on the phone looking for guys around the country to come here.”