Coach Paul Webster Humbled by Team Jacobs' Golden Olympic Journey at Brier
Calgary's Paul Webster cherishes his front-row seat as his teammates defend their title at the 2026 Montana's Brier, fresh off a historic Olympic triumph. Positioned just feet away from Team Jacobs at Mary Brown's Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, Webster's role mirrors the intensity of the Olympic stage where the Glencoe Club crew secured gold medals in men's curling at the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Emotional Olympic Victory
Recalling the climactic moment of the 9-6 victory over Great Britain, Webster vividly described his outburst: "I yelled, 'We f***ing did it!'" He expressed a mix of disbelief, pride, and relief as the final rock settled, marking the culmination of years of dedication. "It was pure pride and relief at the same time," Webster said. "You invest so much into the process, and when that final rock stopped, all I could think about was what those athletes had just given to each other to make it happen."
Webster's Coaching Journey
At 50 years old, Webster has been instrumental in this success, leaving his position as Curling Canada's national development coach four years ago to become the full-time coach for Team Jacobs, with the explicit goal of Olympic gold. "As a coach, it's incredibly humbling," Webster reflected. "You are standing on the edge of the performance—not in it. Your job is to serve the athletes in a way that allows them to be at their best when the moment demands it."
He emphasized the reward of watching skip Brad Jacobs, third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert perform under immense pressure, staying connected and trusting the process. "Watching them perform, stay connected and trust the process under that level of pressure is the real reward for me," Webster added. "It's why I coach."
Overcoming Adversity
The team faced unprecedented challenges, including a 'cheating' accusation that tested their resolve. Webster noted that the noise and distractions could have fractured the team, but instead, it strengthened their bond. "We dealt with more noise and distraction than any team I've ever been part of in 20 years, and the athletes never let it fracture the team dynamic," he said. "One might say it strengthened us. Actually, it did. That level of accountability to each other is why this became a gold-medal performance."
He highlighted that while winning gold is the ultimate result, the true achievement lies in the environment they built. "What I'm most proud of is the environment we built for each other," Webster explained. "When four players are completely committed to being world-class teammates, performance becomes a byproduct. That is what I witnessed every day."
Return to Brier Defense
With the Olympic mission accomplished, Webster has swiftly returned to coaching duties, focusing on Team Jacobs' defense of the Canadian men's championship they won last winter. The transition from Olympic glory to Brier competition underscores the team's resilience and ongoing commitment to excellence in curling.
