Former Eskimos coach Bill MacDermott passes away

Former Edmonton Eskimos coach Bill MacDermott is being remembered fondly after he passed away on Thursday.

When long time Edmonton Eskimos equipment manager Dwayne Mandrusiak says: “Bill MacDermott was one of the most genuine people I’ve met in all my years of football,” that carries a lot of weight.

Mandrusiak has seen them all in his f40-plus years with the Eskimos.

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MacDermott had two stints with the club, coaching the offensive line from 1992 to 1996 and again from 1999 to 2006. He helped the Eskimos win three Grey Cup championships.

MacDermott coached at almost every level possible in his more than 50 years in football. From high school with the Spruce Grove Panthers to the San Diego Chargers in the NFL.

Players loved playing for MacDermott – they gravitated to him. Actually, everybody did. I was fortunate enough to have many conversations with “Coach Mac.” They may have started with football but quickly branched off to family or fishing. I asked him if I could “shadow” him one morning, breaking up game film. He said, “you’re not up that early.” We ended up faking the time of the interview.

Yes, Coach Mac was genuine; one of a kind for sure. We’ll miss him.