Sea Bears extend head coach Mike Taylor with 2-year deal

On the eve of their first anniversary, the Winnipeg Sea Bears announced Wednesday morning that they have signed CEBL Coach of the Year Mike Taylor to a two-year extension.

“He led the way all season, setting the tone for our organization and we are deeply appreciative of that, it’s with this in mind, that I am excited to announce we have signed Mike Taylor to a two-year full-time contract with the Winnipeg Sea Bears, that will extend from the 2025 season,” said Jason Smith, Winnipeg Sea Bears President.

By putting pen to paper on the new deal, Taylor joins Kyle Julius of the Vancouver Bandits as the only two head coaches in the league with a multi-year agreement, which Taylor believes is just another example of the franchise’s commitment to building on the success they enjoyed in their inaugural season.

“The contract that I am signing is a sign of commitment. I love Winnipeg, I love the Sea Bears, and again we are here to pursue those championship goals,” said Taylor.

“What we want Winnipeg to be, is a destination for them, like if I play in the CEBL I want to be a part of a first-class organization, where I know I can develop my game help my career, and really have a great player experience.  And this is the difference from last year when I was hearing ‘Mike that’s a great story but’
now something to show and demonstrate this is what Sea Bears Basketball is.”

Of course, a big aspect of the Sea Bears’ success in year one was through community involvement.

Wednesday the team announced a partnership with the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba dubbed the “Winter Sea Bears”.  It’s an off-season program that aims to connect underserved children with the sport of basketball through a series of clinics led by both U-Sports and Sea Bears athletes and coaches.

“These clinics are going to fuel growth and expansion, and will hopefully create the next generation of university players, and the next batch of Sea Bears athletes,” said Gene Muller, the Athletic Director for the Manitoba Bisons.

Dave Crook, the Athletic Director for the Winnipeg Wesman adds, “We look at Simon Hildebrandt and Chad Postimus and children can see a pathway to being a professional basketball player which is an amazing thing.”

“Our gratitude is unlimited, we can not say thank you enough with the way we were welcomed into this community and we hope we can show our gratitude with how we give back,” team owner David Asper said.