When Okanagan Sun players take to the field for the 2017 season, they鈥檒l be supported by one of the largest and most versatile coaching staffs in club history.

Since the end last season, head man Ben Macauley has so far added six new coaches to his staff, with as many as two more still to be named.

Between full and part-time positions, there could be as many as 18 on staff by the time the B.C. Football Conference season kicks off in July.

Viewed as one of the club鈥檚 deficiencies last season, Macauley said the Sun made a commitment to filling each and every need on the coaching staff.

鈥淲e talked as an organization, with Les (Weiss) and Jay (Christensen) about the fact that we needed to address our coaching situation,鈥� said Macauley, now heading into his second season at the helm. 鈥淲e needed to look at supporting the players better by getting more coaches and more full-time coaches.

鈥淲ith the manpower we had last season, I think there were times when we were underprepared for games and that showed on the field. That鈥檚 something we don鈥檛 want to happen again, so we鈥檝e taken steps to ensure that is doesn鈥檛.鈥�

Among the best known of the new additions鈥攁nd also a returnee鈥攖o the staff is Jason Casey, who was the Sun鈥檚 head coach in 2011. Casey, who was also an assistant with the Sun for three seasons, will look after the defensive line and special teams.

Also new on defense is linebackers coach Brett Kryskow, a former coach at Henry Wisewood high school in Calgary, and Nick Pankhurst鈥攙ia the Kamloops Broncos and high school coaching in Florida鈥攚ho will assist with the defensive backs.

New to the offense is former SFU quarterback Tyler Nickel (passing game coordinator), former Manitoba Bisons running back Foti Lambiris (running game coordinator), and Johannes Van Leenen (running backs), a former head coach at Henry Wisewood.

Returning along with Macauley are Nathan Mollard (defensive coordinator, defensive backs), Michael Botterill (linebackers), Mike Wolthuizen (off. coordinator), Bryan Thiessen (O-line), Ray Wheatley (O-line) and Adam Gambouras (quarterbacks).

Macauley said the club will soon name a new receivers coach.

Based on the experience already in place and the new staff that鈥檚 been assembled, Macauley said both he and the players will have ample support in 2017.

鈥淲hen I was hired, I didn鈥檛 want to be a one-man show,鈥� said Macauley. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 not around, for whatever reason at some point during the season, then we know now we have the skills and coaches in place that can deal with any situation.

鈥淵ou have guys with a lot of experience who have been put in a lot of different spots, guys who aren鈥檛 reactionary and are just more prepared to cope with any adversity you might see. We really like the staff we鈥檝e put together.鈥�

Meanwhile, coaches Don Richmond (running backs), Cody Blanleil (offensive assistant) and Andre Knights (defensive backs) will continue to work with the club but due to work commitments, all will serve on more of a part-time or occasional basis.