Tom Cudney new HC of defending champion GUC Eagles in Egypt
A veteran of the Canadian Football League, Tom Cudney has signed as the new head coach of the GUC Eagles (German University of Cairo), three-time and defending Egyptian National Football League champions.
Cudney coached in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. His playing career started with the Kansas City Chiefs before he returned to Canada to play for the Bombers. He has coached at all levels of college including the University of Buffalo and Bloomsburg University in the USA and Western University and Mount Allison in Canada.
He has just spent that past two seasons coaching wide receivers and kick off returners at Alfred State (NCAA Div. III).
American Football International asked Coach Cudney about the move to Egypt and football in that country.
AFI: What was it like coming to a totally different culture?
Cudney: Well I love learning a new culture and expect it to be a very enlightening experience.
Tom Cudney being greeted at Cairo International Airport
AFI: What are your first thoughts about the football in Egypt?
Cudney: I was very pleasantly surprised. First, the way the team greeted me at the airport was a treat. We have a 70 man roster and we get at least 50 players to every practice. At least 50 of the 70 on the team have won titles and so are experienced. Just based on the Eagles, the football players are incredibly dedicated. Everyone is hustling and encouraging each other. They are all students at GUC and all multi-lingual and fast learners. One of the assistant coaches, Mohy Omar has given the team a great structure and organization so practices have been ideal.
AFI: What do you think of the level of football?
Cudney: I have been very pleased with the level of football. Some of these players might be of a Division 3 level but everyone is learning so quickly. To have success with a football team, you need scarifices and commitment. We seem to have that in abundance here.
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