Pat Tracey enters his eighth season as the defensive coordinator with the UBC football program. He was a defensive assistant on the 2015 Vanier Cup championship squad.
The three-time Vanier Cup champion, 4x National Medalist | Canada-Cup, 2x World Championship Medalist | Team Canada, has guided the T-Birds to three Hardy Cup finals. During his time at UBC, T-Bird defenders have had 25 invites to the CFL combine, 16 invites to the East-West Bowl, along with 15 conference All-Star selections, and 12 All-Canadians. The 2023 CFL Draft added to the Thunderbirds' lead in Canada West for most defensive players selected (22) since 2016. Lake Korte-Moore (DE) was chosen in the 1st Rd, 3rd overall by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders and Luke Burton-Krahn (LB) in the 3rd Rd, 23rd overall by the Edmonton Elks. All-Canadian Linebacker Ryan Baker was the 2022 U SPORTS defensive tackle leader.
Prior to UBC, Tracey spent over a decade with Queen’s (OUA), where he served as defensive coordinator, special teams coach, and recruiting coordinator. He was part of three OUA coaching staff of the year honours in 2001, 2007 and 2008, the last of which included national recognition. His work was instrumental in leading Queen’s to an undefeated regular season in 2008 and winning the 2009 Vanier Cup. The Gaels ranked number one in pass defense six times and had eight top ranked run units. In 2011 the Gaels defense did not concede a single rushing touchdown in the regular season and shut-out the CIS number one ranked Western Mustangs 37-0.
Tracey’s overall defensive career rankings include: 151 career wins (2nd), 109 Academic All-Canadians (1st), 103 conference All-Stars (1st), 42 CFL draft picks (1st), 39 All-Canadians (1st), 5 first round draft picks (2nd), 14 career shutouts (3rd), and 14 conference award winners (2nd) including Canada West Defensive Players of the Year Stavros Katsantonis (’17) and Ben Hladik (’18).
Prior to joining Queen’s, Tracey coached with the Guelph Gryphons (OUA) from 1987-97 and 1999, as both the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. Setting numerous OUA records including fewest total yards in a game-48 vs York (’92). He coached in three Yates Cup finals with the Gryphons, winning two (’92,’96). Tracey was also the special teams coordinator in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (’14) and the Eastern Conference Champion and Grey Cup finalist Hamilton Tiger-Cats (’98).
Tracey started at defensive back from 1982 through 1986 with the Guelph Gryphons, winning the Vanier Cup in 1984. He set the school record for most games played in a career (51), longest fumble return (63 yards), and ranks second in games started (49). He received the most improved player award (’82), was a co-captain (’86), and was the football nominee for the W.F Mitchell Sportsman of the Year (’86). He was also named to the 1980s all-Decade team at corner back.
Tracey is an honoured team member of the University of Guelph SHOF (’84) and the Queen’s Football HOF (’09), and is an individual member of the Centennial SS SHOF (athlete), and the Quinte West SHOF (athlete). In 2022, he was inducted into the Belleville SHOF as a builder and this fall he will join the 2015 Thunderbird championship team in the Frank Gnup Football Wall of Honour.
Pat, his wife Denise, daughters Devon, Darby, and their dog “Hardy” live in Delta.
