# Tommy Denison > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tommy_Denison > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tommy_Denison.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Denison > Source revision: 1341393350 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1978)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox CFL biography | name = Tommy Denison | image = | image_upright = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|10|07}} | birth_place = [Hamilton](/source/Hamilton%2C_Ontario), [Ontario](/source/Ontario), Canada{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/stamps-sign-denison/n-3081299|title=Stamps sign Denison|publisher=[Calgary Stampeders](/source/Calgary_Stampeders)|website=oursportscentral.com|date=August 31, 2004|access-date=May 21, 2020}} | death_date = | death_place = | team = York Lions | number = | status = | title = Offensive assistant | career_position = [Quarterback](/source/Quarterback) | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lb = | high_school = [Beamsville Secondary](/source/Beamsville_District_Secondary_School) | CIS = [Queen's](/source/Queen's_Gaels_football) (2001–2003) | college = [Graceland](/source/Graceland_Yellowjackets) (1998)
[Mansfield](/source/Mansfield_Mountaineers) (1999) | cflundraftedyear = 2002 | coaching_years1 = [2017](/source/2017_U_Sports_football_season) | coaching_team1 = [Saint Mary's Huskies](/source/Saint_Mary's_Huskies_football) ([OC](/source/Offensive_Coordinator)) | coaching_years2 = [2019](/source/2019_U_Sports_football_season) | coaching_team2 = [Toronto Varsity Blues](/source/Toronto_Varsity_Blues_football) ([OC](/source/Offensive_Coordinator)) | coaching_years3 = [2020](/source/2020_U_Sports_football_season)–[2022](/source/2022_U_Sports_football_season) | coaching_team3 = [York Lions](/source/York_Lions_football) ([OC](/source/Offensive_coordinator)) | coaching_years4 = [2023](/source/2023_CFL_Football_Season)–2024 | coaching_team4 = Edmonton Elks (Offensive Analyst) | coaching_years5 = [2025](/source/2025_U_Sports_football_season)–present | coaching_team5 = [York Lions](/source/York_Lions_football) ([OC](/source/Offensive_coordinator)) | playing_years1 = {{CFL Year|2004}} | playing_team1 = [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](/source/Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers)* | playing_years2 = {{CFL Year|2004}} | playing_team2 = [Calgary Stampeders](/source/Calgary_Stampeders) | playing_years3 = {{CFL Year|2005}} | playing_team3 = [Toronto Argonauts](/source/Toronto_Argonauts)* | career_highlights = * 2× [Hec Crighton Trophy](/source/Hec_Crighton_Trophy) winner ([2002](/source/2002_CIS_football_season), [2003](/source/2003_CIS_football_season)) }} '''Tommy Denison''' (born October 7, 1978) is a former [quarterback](/source/quarterback) in [Canadian Interuniversity Sport](/source/U_Sports) and a [football](/source/Canadian_football) coach. He is currently the senior offensive assistant for the [York Lions](/source/York_Lions_football) of [U Sports football](/source/U_Sports_football). As a player, he is a two-time All-Canadian and two-time winner of the [Hec Crighton Trophy](/source/Hec_Crighton_Trophy) in 2002 and 2003. He played professionally for the [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](/source/Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers), [Calgary Stampeders](/source/Calgary_Stampeders), and [Toronto Argonauts](/source/Toronto_Argonauts) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL). ==High school== Denison played his high school football at [Beamsville District Secondary School](/source/Beamsville_District_Secondary_School), where he was a part of two Zone 4 championship football teams.{{cite news|url=https://thevarsity.ca/2004/01/15/queens-quarterback-the-next-blue-bomber/|title=Queen's quarterback the next Blue Bomber|publisher=thevarsity.ca|date=January 15, 2004|access-date=May 21, 2020}} ==Great Lakes Football League== Denison played for the Niagara Colts of the GLFL and set numerous records including an 836-yard passing performance against the Brantford Bisons that was recognized in [Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)'s Faces in the Crowd. He threw for 6,700 yards and 68 touchdowns in the 1998 season. ==University career== Denison first attended [Graceland College](/source/Graceland_College) in 1998 where he was a member of the [Graceland Yellowjackets](/source/Graceland_Yellowjackets). He then transferred to the [Mansfield University of Pennsylvania](/source/Mansfield_University_of_Pennsylvania) in 1999, where he won the starting quarterback job midway through his [redshirt](/source/Redshirt_(college_sports)) freshman season. There he completed 68 of his 144 pass attempts for 735 yards with six touchdowns and ten interceptions. ===Queen's University=== In 2001, Dension returned to Canada and became a member of the [Queen's Golden Gaels football team](/source/Queen's_Gaels_football). In [his first year](/source/2001_CIAU_football_season), he initially split quarterbacking duties before starting the last four games of the regular season where he finished 6th nationally in passing yards with 1684 yards. In [2002](/source/2002_CIS_football_season), Denison set new standards for quarterback play and aerial offense. He became the first [CIS football](/source/U_Sports_football) quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a single season.{{cite news|url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/hamilton-region/2014/08/03/touchdown-tommy-still-playing-the-game-he-loves.html|title=Touchdown Tommy still playing the game he loves|publisher=[The Hamilton Spectator](/source/The_Hamilton_Spectator)|date=August 3, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2020}} His 3,001 passing yards surpassed the old record set by [Greg Vavra](/source/Greg_Vavra) of the [Calgary Dinos](/source/Calgary_Dinos_football) in 1983.{{cite news|url=https://usports.ca/uploads/cis/Sports/06_FB/2019-20/Records/U_SPORTS_FB_individual_records_Nov_26_2019.pdf|title=U Sports football records|publisher=[U Sports](/source/U_Sports)|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=May 21, 2020}} The Gaels finished the 2002 season with a 7–1 record where Denison had 183 completions out of 312 attempts with 22 passing touchdowns. He recorded the most yards passing in a single OUA game on November 2, 2002 against the [Western Mustangs](/source/Western_Mustangs_football) in the OUA semifinal with 561 yards, which remains a [U Sports](/source/U_Sports) playoff record as of 2019. He took the team to the [Yates Cup](/source/Yates_Cup) where the Golden Gaels lost to the [McMaster Marauders](/source/McMaster_Marauders_football). For his record-setting season, Denison was awarded the [Hec Crighton Trophy](/source/Hec_Crighton_Trophy), becoming the second Golden Gael to win the award. Denison continued his dominant play in [2003](/source/2003_CIS_football_season) as he completed 203 of his 313 passing attempts for 2,907 yards with a then-[OUA](/source/Ontario_University_Athletics)-record 24 passing touchdowns. The Golden Gaels once again finished second in the OUA with a 7–1 record, but lost to the [Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks](/source/Wilfrid_Laurier_Golden_Hawks_football) in the semi-final playoff game. Nonetheless, based on another outstanding season, Denison was awarded his second consecutive Hec Crighton MVP award, becoming the second [CIS](/source/U_Sports) quarterback to ever win the award more than once ([Chris Flynn](/source/Chris_Flynn_(Canadian_football)) won the award three times).{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/queens-denison-wins-second-straight-crighton/article18437407/|title=Queen's Denison wins second straight Crighton|publisher=[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)|date=November 21, 2003|access-date=May 21, 2020}} He finished his three-year CIS career with 7,592 passing yards, which was eighth all-time in CIS history, despite all seven players ahead of him having played five seasons. Denison was the central figure in the revival of Queen’s football program, helping to return a once proud program to the national scene. ==Professional career== Since he began his collegiate career in 1998, Denison was eligible four year later for the [2002 CFL draft](/source/2002_CFL_draft), prior to his back-to-back Hec Crighton Trophy wins.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/blue-bombers-sign-canadian-university-star-denison-1.400564|title=Blue Bombers sign Canadian university star Denison|publisher=[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Canadian_Broadcasting_Corporation)|date=December 10, 2003|access-date=May 21, 2020}} As a result, he was undrafted and was able to sign with any professional team. On December 10, 2003, it was announced that he had signed with the [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](/source/Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers). He attended training camp with the Blue Bombers in [2004](/source/2004_Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers_season) and played in the first pre-season game against the [Calgary Stampeders](/source/Calgary_Stampeders) where he had four completions on six pass attempts for 46 yards.{{cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2009/09/08/cauz-s-monday-morning-qb-week-10/|title=Cauz's monday morning quarterback – Week #10|publisher=[Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League)|date=September 9, 2009|access-date=May 21, 2020}} However, he was released by the team shortly thereafter.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/a-canadian-game-without-the-canadians/article1348143/|title=A Canadian game without the Canadians|publisher=[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=May 21, 2020}} On August 31, 2004, Denison was signed by the Calgary Stampeders. He dressed in one regular season game with the team in [2004](/source/2004_Calgary_Stampeders_season) but spent the remainder of his term with the team on the practice roster.{{cite news|url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-denistom001|title=Tommy Denison, Stats Crew|publisher=Stats Crew|access-date=May 21, 2020}} He was eventually released by the Stampeders and signed with the [Toronto Argonauts](/source/Toronto_Argonauts), but did not play in a game and was released. Denison was a member of the [Albany Conquest](/source/Albany_Firebirds_(af2)) in their 2005 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.troyrecord.com/news/conquest-cut-fan-favorite/article_223b5e51-ef08-511d-bf43-b12a755935df.html|title=Conquest cut fan favorite|publisher=Troy Record|date=April 2, 2005|access-date=May 21, 2020}} ==Northern Football Conference== Denison played for the Toronto Titans of the Northern Football Conference (a senior amateur league) from 2011 to 2012, and did not play in 2013. The club was re-named the GTA All-Stars and he re-joined to play for the team from 2014 to 2016.{{cite news|url=http://nfcfootball.ca/player/tommy-denison|title=NFC, Tommy Denison|publisher=NFC Football|access-date=May 21, 2020}} ==Coaching career== While playing for the GTA All-Stars, Denison served as the team's [offensive coordinator](/source/offensive_coordinator) for four years and the team's [head coach](/source/head_coach) in his final year.{{cite web|url=https://yorkulions.ca/news/2020/4/6/football-york-tabs-denison-as-new-offensive-coordinator.aspx|title=York tabs Denison as new offensive coordinator|publisher=[York Lions](/source/York_Lions)|date=April 6, 2020|access-date=May 21, 2020}} With the experience, he was hired as the associate head coach (offense) and [offensive coordinator](/source/offensive_coordinator) for the [Saint Mary's Huskies](/source/Saint_Mary's_Huskies_football) in [2017](/source/2017_U_Sports_football_season).{{cite news|url=http://www.smuhuskies.ca/information/directory/index|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004112727/http://www.smuhuskies.ca/information/directory/index|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2017|title=SMU Huskies Staff Directory|publisher=[Saint Mary's Huskies](/source/Saint_Mary's_Huskies)|access-date=May 21, 2020}} The Huskies exploded on offense on Denison's watch netting 474.6 yards per game up from 371 in 2016. They also nearly doubled their point total scoring 30.9 points per game up from 15.8. He then moved back to [Ontario](/source/Ontario) where he joined the [Toronto Varsity Blues](/source/Toronto_Varsity_Blues_football) as the team's offensive coordinator for the [2019 season](/source/2019_U_Sports_football_season).{{cite news|url=https://varsityblues.ca/sports/2017/7/20/varsity-blues-football-assistant-coaches-1946-to-date.aspx?id=1744|title=Varsity Blues Football Assistant Coaches, 1946 to date|publisher=[Toronto Varsity Blues](/source/Toronto_Varsity_Blues)|access-date=May 21, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/in_the_huddle_week_two|title=In The Huddle: The best offence in the country|publisher=[Ontario University Athletics](/source/Ontario_University_Athletics)|date=September 5, 2019|access-date=May 21, 2020}} The Blues led the nation in Yards per play and improved from 324 yards per game to 438.1 yards per game (7th in the nation). The Blues upset the Number 10 ranked Laurier Golden Hawks on 38-34 on a last minute drive. On April 6, 2020, it was announced that Denison had joined the [York Lions](/source/York_Lions_football) to serve as the team's offensive coordinator. He left York in 2022.{{cite news|url=https://yorkulions.ca/sports/football/roster/2022#sidearm-roster-coaches |title=Football Coaching Staff |publisher=[York Lions](/source/York_Lions) |access-date=September 15, 2024}} In 2023 Denison joined the Edmonton Elks as an offensive analyst and was a member of the organization through the 2024 season. Denison re-joined the coaching staff of the York Lions for the [2025 season](/source/2025_U_Sports_football_season) as the senior offensive assistant. The lions broke school records for First downs, Passing yards and NET Yards. They led the nation in passing, were 5th nationally in total offense and 2nd nationally in First Downs.{{cite news|url=https://yorkulions.ca/sports/football/coaches/2025 |title=2025 Football Coaching Staff |publisher=[York Lions](/source/York_Lions) |access-date=September 9, 2025}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} == External links == * [https://yorkulions.ca/sports/football/roster/coaches/tommy-denison/1153 York Lions bio] *{{Twitter|tommydenison4|Tommy Denison}} {{Hec Crighton Trophy}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Denison, Tommy}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Players of Canadian football from Ontario Category:Canadian football quarterbacks Category:Calgary Stampeders players Category:Queen's Golden Gaels football players Category:Mansfield Mounties football players Category:Toronto Varsity Blues football coaches Category:Saint Mary's Huskies football coaches Category:York Lions football coaches Category:Canadian football people from Hamilton, Ontario --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tommy Denison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Denison) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Denison?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.