The family business.

Dakota Prukop always knew he’d pick up a marker and a whiteboard once he decided to hang up the cleats.

It’s in his blood, after all.

“My grandfather (Al) coached for 40 years after his playing career,” said Prukop. “Then my dad (Tim) played, and he coached, so it was something for me that was in the cards.”

The Stampeders announced the seven-year CFL veteran as the team’s quarterbacks coach for the 2025 season, after Beau Baldwin decided to step away due to personal health reasons.

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Although it’s the 31-year-old’s first coaching opportunity, it’s not his first rodeo working in Calgary. He had a brief stint with the Red and White five years ago, having signed with the club in 2020 and participating in training camp in 2021 before his subsequent release.

“I had a relationship with Dave (Dickenson) and some of the other coaches on staff,” he said. “When I was in Calgary through the Covid season and then the following training camp, I got to know them, and I stayed in touch with Dave through the years after the fact. I think that’s what led to where we are today.”

Despite the short period of playing time, the prolonged season helped Prukop immerse himself in the offence and develop strong bonds with both Dickenson and offensive coordinator Pat DelMonaco.

“While I was only playing there for training camp of ’21, I got to be in the offence learning it for almost two years,” he explained. “It was definitely an interesting situation there with the amount of time I got to spend meeting with Dave and other coaches, Marc Mueller at the time, and (quarterback) Bo Levi Mitchell as well.

“Offences change, but the core principles of this offence are still the same. They haven’t had any turnover from the top in terms of the offence, Dave and Pat are still there, and some of the offence is just as I remember it. I’m really excited to be able to dig into it more now, to coach, and to specifically learn from Pat. It’s a great opportunity.”

The new role is also a reunion of sorts between Prukop and his former teammate now turned mentee in Vernon Adams Jr. The pair spent a brief amount of time together with the BC Lions last summer, but their history extends beyond the northern border.

“Before even playing with V.A. in BC, we played against each other for four years in college in the Big Sky Conference,” said Prukop, who starred at Montana State when Adams was at Eastern Washington. “We also knew each other from Oregon (the school to which Adams and Prukop attended for their final seasons, with Prukop following Adams) so we’ve known each other for a long time.

“I’ve always been cheering him on, we’ve both been up here in the CFL for many years and I think the dynamic is great in terms of being able to help him in any way I can. There’s a lot that goes into preparing for a game as a quarterback and I’m looking forward to this opportunity to help make sure that Vernon is prepared as possible.”

Speaking of former teammates and the Big Sky Conference, Prukop has strong ties with another player who has suited up for the Red and White. His fellow Montana State Bobcat, Alex Singleton.

“I remember when I went to the Stamps in 2020, Alex was one of the first people to be excited and congratulatory of that, so it’s cool being back here,” Prukop explained. “I’ve talked with Alex, and he loves the city of Calgary, the Stampeders and their fans, so we got a chance to catch up and talk, and he’s doing great.

“He’s rehabbing from an injury and is on track for a great recovery, and he just had his first child. He’s doing awesome and I’m sure whenever the time is right, he’ll be able to get back up and visit Calgary.”