Broncos’ head coach Daniels talks of plans for new era

Kamloops posted an 0-10 record last season and has not qualified for the playoffs since 2015.

The B.C. Football Conference [BCFC] club announced last fall the head coaching position was vacant and considered 12 applicants for the job, including Braden Vankoughnett, who coached the team from 2020 to 2025.

Broncos’ president Michelle Peters said the club’s board of directors chose Daniels, who impressed during the interview process.

“He just came across as a really down-to-earth football guy who could make a team accountable for what they need to be doing on the field and off the field, as well,” Peters said, noting former CFLer Brad Yamaoka advised the board amid the coaching search.

“His commitment to football – he’s very committed. He’s done all levels, from little guys right up to Team B.C. We considered moving on to a new person just to give the team some new blood.”

Daniels was most recently regional director for the Vancouver Island North Football Academy, working in administrative and coaching roles, and a coach for Team B.C. programs, mostly in the under-16, U17 and U18 divisions.

He was president, technical director and head coach of the Comox Valley Raiders for eight years.

Daniels has limited experience at the junior level.

He took over as interim head coach of the Vancouver Island Raiders of Nanaimo in 2023, but was dismissed partway through the campaign.

Daniels said he has connections across Canada that will be a catalyst in the recruiting process.

“Coming off an 0-10 season, it’s tough,” Daniels said. “It’s about building a developmental pathway and letting players know that we are here to develop players and develop athletes. I know there are lots of players out there on rosters who don’t even see the field. There’s an opportunity here for them to see the field and to develop.”

The Broncos’ board of directors is not expecting a miraculous turnaround next year in terms of results, but expectations are in place.

“I expect good losses, as I call those — close losses,” Peters said. “A few wins would be great. Maybe one or two [wins] would be the expectation for the season, but I’d like to see him build a good team of staff and a good team of players so we can go forward from there.”

Daniels said 2026 is a transition year and he expects to build the foundation for a brighter future.

“[It’s about] establishing some excitement and desire to compete and be passionate about the game again and really developing players into a spot where they can reach their highest potential,” Daniels said.

“And really just digging into the sense of community for Kamloops and making sure that where the president of the club wants to go, we’re sort of supporting her and their vision and making sure that we put a good product on the field and bringing people to the stands and really enjoying themselves.”

Daniels said he will be reaching out to incumbent coaches and putting out the call for new coaches in the coming months to form his staff for 2026.

He said he will be in Kamloops for spring camp in April, returning in June and staying in the Tournament Capital until the end of the season.

“I think the Kamloops Broncos really need to invest inside themselves, invest in their team, invest in their players,” Daniels said. “And where it goes from there, I think the potential is unlimited.”

by Marty Hastings

Broncos’ head coach Daniels talks of plans for new era

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