Game over: Legendary football coach retires (Page 2)

While thrilled to have won the Vanier Cup in 1987 and been a finalist in 1973, and despite having won numerous conference championships, Coach Baillie has derived the most satisfaction from the one-on-one dealings with his players.

"The quality of players and people we've had here is why I've enjoyed coaching at the university level and never pursued a professional coaching job where the game is a business," says Baillie, a four-time Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference Coach of the Year. "Winning is always the objective, but my overriding goal has been to provide an environment where the players enjoyed themselves and learned something along the way."

	Charlie Baillie in a post-game media scrum PHOTO: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Described as being firm but fair in his leadership style, Coach Baillie, never the rah-rah type, has in his own subtle manner been able to get the best out of his teams. More than just a football coach, he's also been a mentor and role model for many of his players, who are forthright about their admiration for him.

"He's been a father figure for me," says first-year Redmen assistant coach Shawn Koch, a player under Baillie for five seasons. "He knows more about the game of football than anybody, and he's always accessible and attentive to players' needs regarding school and other things besides football. His personality and the tireless hours he spends at his job motivate guys to play hard for him."

"His door is always open, whether you're the star or the last guy off the bench," adds current Redmen quarterback Josh Sommerfeldt, BA'02. "There's a great aura and tradition about him which he's earned. There's no one I respect more."

While still quick-witted and committed to his job, Baillie's decision to retire stemmed from his desire to spend more time with his family, and to enjoy some of the things he's passed up due to his preoccupation with the game.

"I still love coaching and feel I could stay on, but it's a time-consuming job and there are some things I feel I missed out on because of football," he says. "I've got five kids and six grandchildren. I've also got a cottage up north that I never get to use. It's time for me to do something different."

Asked if there's anything special that stands out for him in his years at McGill, Baillie replies that it's a combination of things. "Your relationship with alumni is hopefully a lasting one. It's very satisfying that grads are interested in what you're doing and are willing to help you out in any way. Anyone coaching at McGill will benefit from strong friendships with alumni. The other thing is it's very satisfying to see guys come through and develop as athletes and then go on after graduating to develop as people."

On the sidelines during his last season with the Redmen PHOTO: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Aside from plans to spend time with family, Baillie hasn't given much thought to what awaits him in retirement and has been focused on the final Redmen season. "My basic philosophy is to get the job done. I made the decision to retire two years ago. But I haven't really been thinking about my plans after this season. I've been thinking of the season and my responsibilities here.

"Some coaches who've been around a long time just coast in their last year, but I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to end my career on the right foot," he says.

Adds his assistant Koch, "It's in the back of every guy's mind that this is Coach Baillie's last season and that we've got to make it a good one. He's one of the major reasons I came on as an assistant coach. I want to be part of something special."