Coach Winston October

October has 16 years of coaching experience and is currently the Wide Receiver Coach at the University of Richmond. Previously the Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receiver Coach with the Edmonton Football Team of the CFL. Over his career he has coached on offense, defense and special teams.

Previously spent 2018-2019 with the Ottawa RedBlacks as the wide receiver coach and added play caller for part of the 2019 season. In the two years he developed a group which had four players eclipse 1,000 + yards and three All-CFL selections. One of those players Brad Sinopoli received the 2018 Most Outstanding Canadian Player award in CFL while breaking the Canadian Football League and RedBlacks regular season all time reception record with 116 receptions. He also led the league in yards after catch (486). In 2018 Ottawa were the Eastern Conference Champions and 106th Grey Cup participants.

Prior to Ottawa, October consistently developed one of the Colonial Athletic Association’s and nation’s most productive receiving corps and returners during his four campaigns with The College of William and Mary (2014-2017). Highlighted by Tre McBride, a 2015 NFL’s Tennessee Titans draft pick who was also selected as the 2014 Touchdown of Richmond Top FBS/FCS Wide Receiver of the Year in Virginia. Another player, DeVonte Dedmon, was selected as the 2015 Touchdown of Richmond Top FBS/FCS Special Teams of the Year in Virginia and 2015 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. He signed with Ottawa in 2019. While two other players signed NFL contracts upon graduation. William and Mary were the 2015 CAA Champions.

October joined the Tribe staff after coaching wide receivers (5) and cornerbacks for (2) seasons at Virginia Military Institute. He also worked with the returners. During that time, he helped produce the No. 2 and No. 3 all-time single season kick return yardage leaders in the Big South Conference’s history. Along with the school’s top four of five all-time kick return record holders. One of those players signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.

A 1999 graduate of the University of Richmond, October was a four-time All-Atlantic 10 (CAA) selection as a defensive back and earned All-America honors as a senior. Additionally, finished his career ranked No. 1 on the conference’s and school’s all-time punt return yardage list. University of Richmond were the 1998 A-10 Conference Champions.

October played professionally with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League for two seasons, a brief stint with the Washington Redskins in 2001, he returned to the CFL to play with the Edmonton Football Team for four seasons and helped the organization win the 2003 Grey Cup.