Adam Gagnon
CFL.ca Staff
WINNIPEG — Blue Bombers Head Coach Mike O’Shea announced Tuesday that Pat Tracey has been named the club’s Special Teams Coordinator, while Markus Howell has been named the team’s Wide Receivers Coach.
Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queen’s University. He first joined Queen’s in 2000 as Special Teams Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, and took over as Defensive Coordinator in 2001, becoming a full-time assistant to Coach Sheahan in 2008.
Tracey is recognized nationally and internationally as a defensive specialist. As a result of his defensive expertise, the Gaels were perennially recognized as having one of the top defenses in the CIS. 
He ends his time there with 113 career wins as a CIS defensive coordinator. Tracey also helped guide Queen’s to a Vanier Cup championship in 2009.
“Pat has a wealth of experience in Canadian football, is a great teacher and has had tremendous success at Queen’s. His knowledge of CIS athletes will be an asset. We are very excited to add him to our coaching staff,” said O’Shea.
Markus Howell stays on the staff and enters his 15th season in the CFL, his third in charge of the receivers, and fourth year of his coaching career. Howell played 11 seasons with Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Calgary as a receiver, defensive back, and returner.
His in depth knowledge of the receiver position helped Chris Matthews win Most Outstanding Rookie in 2012, when he became the franchise’s first true rookie to record over 1,000 yards receiving, as he led the team with 1,192. A Winnipeg native, Howell lives year-round in the Manitoba capital.
“We are very pleased to keep Markus on our staff. He is a dedicated, hardworking football coach, who is greatly respected by his players. His experience in our league as both a player and a coach is invaluable,” said O’Shea.
