University of Calgary Dinos football team looks to end four-year playoff drought

The University of Calgary Dinos football team opened training camp on Monday night, with an aim to end a four-year playoff drought this season.

The University of Calgary Dinos football team is back for another training camp.

Last season, the Dinos finished with a record of 2-6 and were once again bounced from seeing any playoff action.

While head coach Ryan Sheahan saw some positives, the team didn’t reach its ultimate goal.

And that’s why he says he’ll make some changes heading into the 2025 season.

“We played tough and were in a number of games and it could’ve gone our way in a number of contests, but that’s all she wrote on 2024,” he said.

“This year is a little different—a chance for the staff to put their stamp on a recruiting class. There’s 55 new athletes trying out to be Dinos and we’re really happy with that group that we’re assembling.”

One of the new recruits is Caleb Wetherell.

He’s a 6’4 (193 cm), 280-pound (127 kg) offensive lineman out of Cochrane.

Wetherell wants to make his mark on the team and is glad there will be a lot of competition at this year’s camp.

“I think it’s great and I think it creates a really good environment for us newer players to come into,” he said.

“Ultimately, I think it’s going to be great to play with some of these guys and we can all help each other improve and I think we’re going to have a great run this year because of that competition.”

Veterans also like the competition

The veterans on the team are also buying into how important competition is.

Centre Brady Szeman is going into his fourth season with the Dinos and says it will make the team better.

“It just adds depth too, right? And it pushes the boys to work harder,” he said.

“I think we definitely need that. We haven’t had as much of that in the past as we’d like, so it would definitely be good for this season.”

Getting back into the playoffs

The goal each year is to make the playoffs, but it’s been a tough ride for the Dinos of late.

They’ve been out of the playoffs for four straight years.

Linebacker Osasere Odemwingie is also going into his fourth season and says he has a burning desire to play in the post-season for the first time in his university career.

“Honestly, we just have to start believing again that we can win,” he said.

“That’s the main focus—just trying to win games and trying to get the team more together and playing together and just preparing for more wins."

May 10 is going to be a big day for Szeman and Odemwingie.

They’ve been selected to play in the East-West Bowl in Waterloo, Ont.

They’ll be joined by teammates Franklin Ibelo and Ben Dobson.

Coaches Adam Blasetti and Chris Anstey will be part of team West’s coaching staff.