In his first season with the interim tag removed as head coach as the University of Regina Rams, Mark McConkey proved plenty of doubters wrong, including preseason prognosticators, as he was named the Canada West Coach of the Year on Thursday.

The Rams finished their season in second spot of the Canada West football standings with a 5-3 record despite a rookie quarterback, Noah Pelletier and five different running backs who suited up throughout the season. In a preseason poll, the Rams were picked to finish last in the conference.

McConkey becomes the third Rams coach to win the Canada West Coach of the Year, joining Frank McCrystal (2007) and Steve Bryce (2016).

The Rams coach will now advance as the Canada West representative for the Frank Tindall Trophy, awarded to the top coach in U Sports.