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Cobras’ coaches inducted into Hall of Fame

Cochrane Cobras’ coaches Robb McNab and Bruce O’Neil will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this October
Cobras scrimmage
The Cochrane Cobras coach Rob McNab and former coach Bruce O'Neil will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this fall . (Tyler Klinkhammer/The Cochrane Eagle)

Two men responsible for leading Cochrane High School to historic heights in sport will receive some well-deserved recognition after being tapped to become Hall of Famers.

Cochrane Cobras’ coach Rob McNab, alongside former Cobras’ coach Bruce O’Neil, will be inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and the Football Alberta Hall of Fame. The two men will be receiving the Achievement Award and are among 11 others being inducted this October as part of the 2022 ceremony.

O’Neil, who retired in 2019, coached for nearly four decades at Cochrane High School. He led the Cobras to a provincial record with 40 consecutive victories and five consecutive provincial championships. McNab also brings with him a glimmering record, having coached for three decades, during which time the Cobras won 16 provincial titles. The pair’s coaching tenure has an impressive overall record, with 290 wins to just 31 losses, according to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

McNab said he feels the recognition is the result of a team effort by the school's football program and hopes it will bolster the program in the future.

“We work very hard here at Cochrane High School — all of us do,” McNab said. “I happen to be the figurehead, so I guess I get the accolades. Either way, it’s outstanding for our program.”

This is not the first time McNab and O’Neil have been recognized for their coaching. In 2012, both McNab and O’Neil won the Alberta Football’s Tier III High School Coach of the Year Award. In 2013 McNab was inducted into the Alberta School’s Athletic Association (ASAA) Hall of Fame and O’Neil was inducted into the ASAA in 2015. McNab again received recognition alongside coach Ken Polson in 2021 when the duo won the Tier III High School Coach of the Year Award.

This induction will mark McNab’s second time entering the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, having been inducted years earlier for his time playing with the Calgary Dinos and his time coaching the Calgary Colts.

McNab said he hopes the recognition he and his fellow coaches have received over the years serves to remind his students what can be accomplished when they work hard.

“I think it shows the kids that when you buy in, good things happen,” he said. “Every time something comes up, whether it’s a kid receiving a scholarship or a coach getting an award, it just validates what we’re trying to get these kids to accomplish.”

The official induction ceremony will be held at Red Deer Polytechnic on Oct. 21, 2022.

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