Pride of Lions
by Deirdre kelly
photography by Mike Ford
A former Canadian Football League (CFL) player and Grey Cup winner, Dexter Janke is the new head football coach at York.
The 31-year-old Edmonton native brings a wealth of experience and a champion’s mindset to the role, having served as the head coach of the Westshore Rebels last season. Under his leadership, the Rebels achieved a remarkable 12-1 record, reaching the Canadian Bowl before narrowly losing to the Saskatoon Hilltops.
Janke arrived at York in February, just when the Lions needed him most. The team has not posted more than three regular-season victories since 2002. Its last Ontario University Athletics playoff appearance dates back to 2004. He hopes to turn that around.
“This is a really exciting time,” Janke says. “We have a great opportunity to reset the standard, come together as a group and bring a lot of pride and excitement to this program.”
Focus on the structure, on the culture, then the results will come
Named 2023’s Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) coach of the year, Janke entered coaching following a notable career in the CFL, where for four seasons he played as a defensive back, earning a Grey Cup ring with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019. Prior to his professional career, Janke honed his skills at the University of Saskatchewan where, as a 6-foot tall, 220-pound running back, he was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in 2015.
Beyond the football field, Janke has a diverse athletic background, having competed as a brakeman on Canada’s four-man World Cup bobsleigh team in 2018. His multi-faceted experiences have shaped his coaching philosophy, which stresses teamwork, discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
“My exposure to winning environments and high-level coaches prepared me well for this opportunity,” Janke says. “My time as a professional athlete and student athlete provided me with the necessary perspective to relate to our student athletes’ experience.”
York is proud to have him.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dexter Janke to our department and the University,” says York’s Athletics & Recreation executive director Steven Chuang (MES ’10). “Coach Janke’s core values align with our mission of delivering a world class student-athlete experience by transforming the lives of everyone that we touch – one Lion at a time.”
Adds Athletics director Alex Dominato, “I could not be more excited to announce Dexter Janke as the next head football coach of the Lions. He is a proven winner and leader as a student athlete, professional player and head coach. His ability to bring everyone along for the journey was evident and special to all of our stakeholders.”
Janke is now poised to take the Lions to new heights, instilling a sense of pride and excitement within the York University community. His younger brother, Jacob Janke (BCOM ’20), played for the Lions as a York student, from 2015 to 2019, so he already has an idea of what is needed to take the team forward.
“I’m working hand in hand with the coaching staff to make sure we have a solid structure and foundation to build upon,” Janke says. “We have to focus on the structure, on the culture, then the results will come.” ■
