The University of British Columbia Athletics

Jerry Friesen enters his second season as UBC football's defensive coordinator and academic coach. He officially joined the UBC coaching staff on March 11, 2013 bringing a wealth of experience having coached over 25 years in the CIS and CFL, including being named the CIS Coach of the Year in 2004.

Last season he helped turn around the Thunderbirds defence. They finished the year as the number one ranked defence in terms of total yards allowed per game.

A native of Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Friesen most recently coached with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2011) prior to 10 years as head coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears (2001-10). He compiled a record of 36-43-1 over the 10 regular seasons with the Golden Bears and a playoff record of 4-5. He twice led Alberta to 7-1 regular seasons and to three straight Hardy Cup Finals  (2003-05). In 2004 he won the Frank Tindalll trophy as the CIS Coach of the Year.

During his playing days Friesen played linebacker with the Saskatoon Hilltops before moving on to the University of Saskatchewan where he was a two time All-Canadian. From there he went on to a eight year career in the CFL, three with the Montreal Alouettes and five seasons with his home province Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Friesen joined the coaching ranks when he retired as a player returning to his alma mater as the team's defensive coordinator and helping them to their first Vanier Cup championship in 1990. After a year with the Roughriders in 1996, he became assistant coach with the University of Calgary in 1997 before taking the Alberta job in 2001.

He is a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Wall of Fame and was enshrined in the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.