From the Hurricanes to the CFL: The Matt Coates Story

On Saturday night, following the Tiger-Cats and Eskimos game, the CJFL’s Hamilton Hurricanes and Burlington Braves will take to the field in the second half of a Hamilton football doubleheader. 
Prior to the two junior teams taking the field, one of the Hurricanes’ very own alumni will go to battle with the rest of his Ticats teammates. 
Growing up in Markham, Ontario, Matt Coates did not begin playing football until grade nine, when he decided that he’d follow in the footsteps of his older brother and give football a shot. He spent his first year as a receiver, transitioning to quarterback for grade 10 and 11 before finishing his high school career as a receiver for two more years.
Coates starred at Markham Collegiate, earning team MVP honours twice and winning the coveted Metro Bowl in his final season with the school. Canadian universities showed interest in the receiver, but rather than pursuing a university education, Coates chose to take up the family trade as an electrician.
As an electrical apprentice, the options for playing football were limited, so Coates settled for a touch football league in Toronto. While there, he was discovered by Hamilton Hurricanes Coach Jason Hayes, who was playing for an opposing team.

“I’m always looking to upgrade for our Hurricanes team, and I spotted him playing,” said Hayes, who still coaches the team. “I approached him and he told me he was a Markham kid and the travel in would be little difficult.”

Hayes played against Coates’ team twice, and approached the Markham native both times in hopes of adding him to the ‘Canes roster. Coates respectfully declined originally, unsure of making the move to Hamilton to pursue a future in football, but eventually Hayes was able to get him on board for the 2011 season.
Coates’ first season with the Hurricanes garnered attention and connections with New Mexico Military College, a junior college in the States where he’d spend the 2012 season before returning to play for the ‘Canes in 2013.

The 2013 season was a breakout season for Coates, as he set an OFC (Ontario Football Conference) record for touchdown receptions in a single season (13), while recording 36 receptions for 621 receiving yards.
“He was the top receiver in the league,” said Hurricanes President Mike Samuel, “everyone feared him, he just worked hard and you knew there was just something about Matt.”
The receiving group that the Hurricanes had that year was a talented group to begin with, but it was Coates who took them to the next level, according to Hayes.
“His want to get better spreads infectiously to the guys around him,” said Hayes. “When you have your best player wanting to get better and wanting the offence to get better, that helps the team so much.”
That hard work and drive to get better is was what caught the eyes of the Ticats personnel department, who saw him with the Hurricanes and eventually at the OFC’s territorial workout. It was also undoubtedly a big reason for Coates making the Ticats team out of training camp in 2014, earning himself a two-year contract with the team.
“Prior to playing for the Hurricanes I had heard about guys making it to tryouts and training camp, so that was definitely on my radar.” explained Coates. “I knew that if I played well enough that I might have the opportunity to do that.”
As a member of the Hurricanes, Coates flashed his skills as the team’s top receiver, but in the CFL it hasn’t been the flashy plays that have earned him the respect of his teammates; instead, it’s the hard work and dedication to his craft which got him here in the first place that have his peers impressed.
After a rookie season in which he played three games for the Ticats, Coates arrived at the team’s 2015 Training Camp with a deeper understanding of the offence, improved route-running abilities and an overall stronger football game. The improvements to his game are testament to the type of player and person that Coates is, and it was no surprise to Ticats quarterback Zach Collaros when he showed up an improved player.
“He’s a great teammate, a great person,” exclaimed Collaros. “During training camp we said how much better he’s gotten… and that’s a testament to him and how hard he works every day, especially in the off-season.”
Coates is often one of the last few players to leave the field following Ticats practices, sticking around and putting in the extra time every day. It may seem crazy to the outside onlooker, but the second-year receiver can’t see it any other way.
“The better you’re prepared, the more fun you can have out there,” explained Coates when asked about the extra work. “You’re less worried about things and you start performing and seeing things quicker.”
Coates has been the Ticats replacement for Canadian all-star Andy Fantuz, and while he’s made just two receptions for 37 yards, the young receiver’s understanding of the offence and his dedication to the small nuances of the game have allowed him to hold that role.
In the Ticats last game, a road game against the Argonauts, Coates reeled in his first career receiving touchdown, which was followed up by a massive celebration from his teammates.

“It was exhilarating and just amazing really,” said Coates. “To get that accomplishment personally and then the way that my teammates celebrated after made me feel really good as a player and teammate, knowing that I have their respect.”

Following Coates’ first career touchdown, Collaros gave him one of the best possible compliments a veteran quarterback can give a young receiver.

“All the credit should go to Matt,” said Collaros, “he really can play any position, he’s just a really reliable guy. He’s right there with those guys (Bakari Grant, Andy Fantuz, Luke Tasker)…the coaches trust him and I trust him.”