From assistant coach to General Manager…it’s not the typical progression in professional sports…but if anyone can do it, it’s Barry Rawlyk (pictured)!

An uber-successful coach and talent recruiter at the high school and university levels, Rawlyk was introduced as G-M of the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League Thursday morning. Rawlyk takes over from Greg Jockims who, as G-M and head coach last season, led the Snakes to the first-ever C-E-B-L championship…only to step down after the season to concentrate on family and business interests. Rawlyk was an assistant coach with Jockims. A multi-time city and provincial high school champion directing Holy Cross’ fortunes, Rawlyk is presently head coach of the U of S men’s program…a job he’ll retain while being G-M of the Rattlers. With the C-E-B-L’s free agency period starting February 1st, Rawlyk intends on hiring a new Saskatchewan head coach before the end of this month. The 2020 season begins in May. Following is the news release from the Rattlers…

Saskatchewan Rattlers Announce Barry Rawlyk as General Manager Rawlyk is set to lead Rattlers Basketball Operations Staff
Saskatoon, Sask. (Jan. 9, 2020) – The Saskatchewan Rattlers, member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are elated to announce Barry Rawlyk as their second General Manager in franchise history.

Rawlyk is no stranger to the Rattlers, having served the 2019 Championship season as the lead assistant coach as well as assisting in the recruitment of the roster.

He joins the Rattlers as the current University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s basketball team head coach. As the sixth head coach in University of Saskatchewan men’s basketball history, Rawlyk took the helm in an interim position in the 2010-11 season. In May 2012, he was officially named head coach of the men’s basketball program.

During the 2010-11 season, Rawlyk led the Huskies to a fourth place finish at the CIS Championship and a second place finish in Canada West. The following season, the team finished first in their conference and hosted the Canada West Final Four for the first time in the program’s history. Prior to joining the Huskies, Rawlyk spent over two decades coaching at Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon. During his time with the Crusaders, he led them to 11 City Championship titles as well as three Provincial Championships.

The Saskatoon native will start assembling the Rattlers 2020 roster when CEBL free agency starts on Feb. 1. The Rattlers head coach announcement is expected at the end of January.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Barry join the Rattlers as the General Manager,” says Rattlers President and COO, Lee Genier. “Barry has an extensive track record of building winning teams full of high-character individuals who not only excel on the court, but also in the community. We are prepared to enter free agency with a focused plan of attack that will give us the best possible chance to build another championship team in 2020.”

The Rattlers enter the 2020 season as the defending CEBL Champions. They will open the season away from home on May 8 when they take on the Fraser Valley Bandits. The Rattlers home opener will take place on May 14 against the Bandits, when they will celebrate the 2019 season by unveiling the first-ever CEBL Championship banner. Season tickets are available on the therattlers.ca, with group tickets, flex packs and single game tickets expected to be released in the coming months.