The C-E-B-L’s Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Tuesday that they have promoted Steve Burrows to Associate Head Coach for the 2025 season after he served as an assistant coach with the team in 2024.
The Regina product moves up a notch on the coaching totem pole with the Snakes, staying a level below Eric Magdanz, who was promoted to head coach of the Rattlers from associate head coach on March 13. A Regina product, Burrows played high school ball in the provincial capital, then moved on to play at the U SPORTS level at the U of Regina. He became an assistant coach with the Cougars in 1994 and moved up to head coach at the U of R in 2013, where he has been ever since. Following is the news release from the Rattlers…..
March 25, 2025
BURROWS NAMED ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH OF SASKATCHEWAN RATTLERS
Saskatoon, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
announced Tuesday that they have promoted Steve Burrows to Associate Head Coach for the 2025
season after he served as an assistant coach with the team in 2024..
“We are really pleased that Steve has agreed to step up into the role of Associate Head Coach with
the Rattlers this season,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry
Rawlyk. “He brings a wealth of experience and technical expertise to the position and will make a
significant impact on the way we play. Elevating Steve to this position will give everybody a greater
opportunity to learn from him. Steve has a long track record of success as a coach and we expect that
he will help create a culture of success here.”
A local of Regina, Saskatchewan, Burrows grew up playing high school basketball which led him to
play at the U SPORTS level at University of Regina. He has served as Head Coach of the University of
Regina Cougars since the 2013-14 season. Under Coach Burrows, the Cougars have competed in a
Canada West Final Four (2022) and they advanced to the conference quarterfinals in 2016, 2018,
2019, and 2022. The team has seen a great deal of regular season success in recent years, finishing
sixth and fourth in the 17-team Canada West standings in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively, while
also placing first in the East Division with a 12-4 record during the COVID-shortened 2021-22
campaign.
“Having Steve move into the role of Associate Head Coach with the Rattlers is very exciting for us,”
said President Lee Genier. “He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership to the team.
This decision reinforces our commitment in continuing to build basketball across the province of
Saskatchewan.”
Prior to being hired as the head coach of the Cougars, Burrows had been an assistant coach with the
team since the 1994-95 season. He also served double duty for six seasons when he also held the
title as assistant coach for the women’s team. Burrows helped guide the men’s team to three
appearances in the Canada West Final Four over a four-year span from 2003 to 2006. That time was
punctuated by a historic 16-4 season in 2005-06 as the Cougars went undefeated on their home
court during the conference schedule and set a program record for most wins in a single year. With
the women’s team, Burrows helped the program reach unprecedented heights including
appearances in five CIS Championship tournaments.
Outside of coaching with the Regina Cougars, Burrows has coached seven provincial basketball
teams, and served as Director of Coaching Development for Basketball Saskatchewan from 2010 to
2013.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity to return to the Rattlers this summer,” said Coach Burrows.
“I’m looking forward to working with the entire staff to try and bring a championship back to
Saskatchewan.”
Coach Burrows will reunite with the Rattlers and join forces with Head Coach Magdanz. The current
roster consists of returning players Cody John and Jaden Bediako, and NBA-experience guard Nate
Pierre-Louis. Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency will continue leading up to the
announcement of the full training camp roster prior to the Saskatchewan Rattlers home opener on
May 15, 2025 at SaskTel Centre.
