Expert Coaching

At Villanova College, our athletic program is supported by our coaching staff which is comprised of dedicated teachers, staff, and community volunteers.

Many of our coaches hold National Coaching Certifications and have competed or coached at the university, provincial, professional, and national levels.

Along with their high level of expertise, our coaches are also role models. They lead by example in their dedication to discipline, excellence, and sportsmanship. Our coaches are committed to helping all our Knights reach their potential as athletes at Villanova and beyond.

Athletic Directors & Coaching Staff

Athletic Directors

Tonia Redhead

Tonia Redhead is Villanova’s Co-Athletic Director and coordinates all aspects of female sports at VC. She is the Head Coach of the Varsity Cross-Country and Track & Field Teams and teaches in our Health & Physical Education Department. Coach Redhead has been a part of Villanova's coaching staff since 2003.

Peter Tanev

Peter Tanev is Villanova's Co-Athletic Director, overseeing all male sports at Villanova College. Tanev has been a member of VC's staff since 2019 and is a Head Coach in our Hockey and Golf programs. Coach Tanev also teaches in our Canadian & World Studies Department.

Cross-Country/Track & Field

Tonia Redhead

Tonia Redhead has been a part of Villanova's coaching staff since 2003. Prior to VC, she was a member of Canada's National Track & Field Team in long jump and the 4 x 100m relay. As an athlete, she competed in major events across the world, including the Jeux de Francophonie in Morocco, The World Student Games in West Germany, and The Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba. Coach Redhead also has her Level II (Practical and Theory) National Coaching Certification and is certified as a Level II Track & Field Official.

Field Hockey

QB Mascarenhas

QB Mascarenhas has been coaching at Villanova College for more than ten seasons. Several girls under his guidance have gone on to play at the University and National level due in large part to Coach Mascarenhas' expertise and dedication. He has coached all levels of Men and Women's Field Hockey since 2000, and holds his Level I and Level II Coaching Certificates, and is working towards his Level III. Some of Mascarenhas' coaching experience includes Assistant Coach on Canadian Women's National Indoor Field Hockey Team in 2010; Guest Coach on the U21 Canadian Men's Team 2007-08; Assistant Manager and Coach of Guyana at the 2005 Indoor Pan-Am Cup.

Football

Samir Chahine

Samir Chahine has been a member of the football coaching staff at Villanova College since 2005. Coach Chahine has experienced many successes, both as a player and as a coach at the professional and university levels. At McGill University, Chahine was a three-time All-Canadian Offensive Lineman from 1995 to 1997, and four-time Shot-Put Champion in Quebec. Samir was the 11th pick overall in the 1998 CFL draft and in his seven-year career played for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calgary Stampeders, and the Ottawa Renegades. In 2008, Chahine was the Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach of a professional team in Italy, the Bergamo Lions, and in 2009 he was the Offensive Line Coach of the U of T Blues. Chahine was also the Offensive Line Coach of Team Canada's Junior National Football Team in 2014.

Sam Papaconstantinou

Sam Papaconstantinou brings over 30 years of teaching and coaching experience to Villanova College. He has an Honours Specialist in Health & Physical Education and Level I and Level II NCCP in Football and Basketball. Prior to teaching, Coach Papaconstantinou spent time in the CFL as a linebacker. In 1982 he was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and then spent time with the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos. During his time at the University of Toronto, Papaconstantinou earned a “Silver T” as an OUAA All-Star in 1982.

Hockey

Sergio Blasi

Sergio Blasi has been a member of Villanova's coaching staff since 2002. Along with coaching hockey and football, he is also the Department Head of the Health & Physical Education Department and a Certified Personal Trainer. Through his expertise, he has assisted many athletes achieve success beyond Villanova, including two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Alex Pietrangelo '08!

Volleyball

Amanda Figliano

Coach Figliano has been on our coaching staff since 2004, and has achieved numerous successes in that time. Amanda is a NCCP Level I and II Volleyball Coach, Certified CanFit Pro Personal Trainer, and holds a Reebok Spin Certification. Along with being Villanova's Volleyball Coordinator and Junior Girls' Head Coach, Amanda is also the Head Coach for the Senior Girls' Soccer Team and is a Health & Physical Education teacher.

VC's History of Athletic Accomplishments