Tanner Byrne is the new coach for Canada's team at the PBR Global Cup. (Covy Moore)

By Jeff D’Andrea

PBR Global Cup

‘One of the biggest accomplishments in my career,’ P.A.’s Byrne named Team Canada coach for PBR Global Cup

Jan 22, 2022 | 12:00 PM

If there’s a way to be a part of Professional Bull Riding (PBR), Prince Albert’s Tanner Byrne is going to find a way to do it.

He was an accomplished bull rider for nine years until his retirement in 2019, including winning the Canadian PBR title in 2015, qualifying for four PBR World Finals, and winning three premier PBR events.

After his rider retirement, Byrne quickly took up the Byrne “family business” and switched over to bullfighting to join the profession his father Ryan, brothers Jesse and Bo, and cousin Scott had already made names for themselves in.

Now, Byrne will add “coach” to the ways he’s been involved with the sport. Byrne will coach Canada’s team for the 2022 PBR Global Cup USA in Arlington, Tex. on March 5.

“It’s what I do for a living, I don’t do anything else. Bull riding’s been my life since Day 1… You grow up playing hockey, you’re not just a good player, you learn the sport, you learn the ins and outs, you learn the technicalities of it. That’s kind of me. I’m trying to do everything in the sport because it’s what I know. It all translates together.

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“The riding helped me with fighting, and both of those are helping me with this game through and through, knowing the bulls and knowing every aspect of this gig—and that leads to the coaching gig.”

Byrne himself represented Canada as a rider in three of the five total Global Cups, before taking on the coaching position. Getting the go-ahead to wear the red maple leaf is something that Byrne always took with a lot of pride.

“When you get to represent your country, it adds more to it. It was something that I didn’t take lightly when I got picked to Team Canada, and when I got the call back to be the coach, it was one of the biggest accomplishments of my career,” Byrne said. “It just shows you the higher-ups and the people doing all this stuff think that much of me to bring back and lead the bull riders into battle. I’m very humbled and very fortunate to be in the position as coach, and the work begins to make sure I make the best team and go in and do what I know we’re capable of as Team Canada.”

The team selection itself is still in a “to be determined” phase, but Byrne is confident he can compile a good squad with the talent and depth of Canadian riders that’s available.

In terms of what a PBR coach actually does, Byrne compared the position to a bench boss at the National Hockey League level. NHL coaches don’t have to teach their professional hockey players how to play hockey, but to put them in positions to succeed. That’s how Byrne sees his role.

“At this level, the guys that are going to be on this team, they’re going to know how to ride bulls and they’re the best in the country. So, my job is to get the best out of the guys, to make sure they’re fired up and in the zone when the time comes to get on those bulls,” Byrne said. “I’m not there to teach them or to ride a different bull in a sense, my job is to manage the guys and make sure they’re ready to go.”

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jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW