The 2017 football season didn鈥檛 end the way Ben Macauley envisioned.
On the other hand, the 32-year-old head coach couldn鈥檛 be more encouraged by what the future holds for the program.
Both were important factors in Macauley鈥檚 decision to return to the helm of the B.C. Football Conference club for the 2018 campaign.
鈥淲e have some unfinished business on the field,鈥� said Macauley, who signed a one-year extension with the Sun. 鈥淥ff the field, we feel like we鈥檙e starting to put a mark on the program. We have a number of really good things going for young men, developing not just football players but well-rounded individuals.
鈥淲e鈥檝e brought in guys who line up with the vision of the program,鈥� added Macauley, 鈥渁nd along with the players we鈥檝e inherited, we really feel like we鈥檙e headed in the right direction.鈥�
During his tenure, the Regina native has led the Sun to a 15-4-1 regular season record, two second-place finishes and back-to-back playoff appearances.
Still, 2017 ended in a disappointment for the Sun .
Macauley expects the lessons learned over the last two seasons will serve the Sun coaching staff and returning players well in 2018.
鈥淲e felt we had a better team than we showed, and that鈥檚 on the coaches,鈥� Macauley said. 鈥淎s coaches we need to do a better job of preparing our players. It鈥檚 been a learning experience for us, mistakes are made, but it鈥檚 up to us to prove we鈥檝e learned from those.
鈥淲e believe 2018 is ours.鈥�
Team president Les Weiss said the Sun has taken some positive steps under Macauley鈥檚 guidance, both on and off the field.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to have extended Ben鈥檚 contract for the 2018 season,鈥� said Weiss. 鈥淗is hard work and dedication is evident when you look at all the young talent he was able to assemble last season, and we believe the organization is in good hands moving forward.鈥�
Macauley took over as he club鈥檚 head coach after the departure of Shane Beatty following the 2015 season.
In a previous stint with the Sun, Macauley worked as an offensive line coach in 2012 and 2013, before serving as head coach of the KSS Owls in 2015.
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