Warnell takes over for O'Callaghan in Mimico

After five very successful years behind the Mimico Mountaineers bench, head coach and general manager Sean O'Callaghan has decided to hand over the coaching reins to Toby Warnell.

Under O'Callaghan's guidance, the Junior B Mountaineers made the playoffs in all five years, twice to the Eastern Conference Final, and most recently, a silver medal in the 2010 Founders Cup, losing a 4-3 double-overtime thriller to the Halton Hills Bulldogs. Also not returning to the staff is Jonny Grimes, who has decided to concentrate his efforts on the Mimico Bantam 1 team in 2011.Warnell is well know in Mimico lacrosse circles, and was an original member of the Junor B Mountaineers in 1993. He was chosen team captain of the Mountaineers in 1995 and 1996. After going overage, Warnell began coaching, as an assistant with the Mountaineers in 1999 and in  2000 with the Mimico midgets, who made a Final Four appearance at the OLA 'A' championships. 

Warnell was back with the Junior Mountaineers from 2001 to 2005 as an assistant coach under John Robinson.  Assisting Warnell this year is John Griffin, who brings a wealth of experience in coaching, physical fitness and preparedness to the game. Griffin is entering his 12th season as a coach of the Junior Mountaineers. Back for a second season is coach Denny Wilson, also an original Mountaineer from the '93 team. Wilson pulled double duty as a coach last season, helping the peewee 2 team to a provincial title. Rounding out the staff are Chris Willerton and Scott Gillingham. 

Willerton, a former Mountaineer, is second all-time in team total points, is returning to the fold after coaching in the Halton Hills Minor Lacrosse organization the past few seasons.  Willerton also spent some time as a player with the Brooklin Merchants of the Ontario Senior B League. Gillingham, another product of the Minor Minors, Mississauga Tomahawks and the Brooklin Merchants, returns to Mimico, where he was also coaching Halton Hills Minor the past few seasons.The coaching staff looks forward to meeting all prospective Mountaineers at a player information session, scheduled for Wednesday February 9, at 7:30 pm, at Mimico Arena.