2014 CIS coaching changes: New blood, new places, old faces

CIS coaches were busy this off-season recruiting for the class of 2014 and beyond.  Not only were teams loading up on recruits, but they have also been restocking their coaching rosters.  During the offseason, new head coaches have been hired while some coordinators played musical chairs and other coaches are new to the CIS coaching scene

Here is a recap of some of the notable 2014 offseason coaching changes:

AUS:

SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES:

Back in late March, the Saint Mary’s Huskies hired Gregg Butler as the team’s Defensive Coordinator.  Butler replaced Marcello Simmons, who just after 13 months with the Huskies moved on fill an assistant coach vacancy with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  Butler is the fourth defensive coordinator in the past five seasons for the Huskies.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/new-huskies-coordinator/

ST.FX X-MEN:

In mid-December, the St.FX X-Men lured Steve Snyder away from the Windsor Lancers and brought him back to the place where he enjoyed a successful CIS playing career.  Snyder was hired as a full-time assistant coach and Offensive Coordinator.  Also, Head Coach Gary Waterman also signed a new coaching contract with the team.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/snyder/

ACADIA AXEMEN:

Axemen Head Coach Jeff Cummins confirmed to CFC in an interview that Brett Haenni has left as Running Backs Coach.  As the time of the interview, Cummins did not name a replacement; however, the Axemen’s football website indicates that former St.FX coach Josh Lambert is filling the role.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/preview-dwelling-on-the-past-only-takes-focus-from-2014-forward-focus/

MOUNT ALLISON MOUNTIES:

Status quo

RSEQ:

LAVAL ROUGE ET OR:

Status Quo

MONTREAL CARABINS:

In late November, Alain Mainguy left as Carabins Offensive Line Coach.  Soon after, Ron Hilaire vacated the Defensive Line Coach position to take on the Defensive Coordinator position with the McGill Redmen and Mainguy followed suit.  Also, Defensive Assistant Coach David Edmunds departed from the team to assist Hilaire..

Special Teams Coordinator Tony Addona (who has over 25 years of experience) added to his responsibilities by replacing Mainguy and still serving as the Carabins Special Teams Coordinator. Carabins Head Coach Danny Maciocia confirmed with CFC in an interview that both Michel Lamy and Greig Longchamps have been brought on as Offensive Line Coaches while Garlins Duclervil will coach on the defensive line.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/assistant-coach-mainguy-leaves-carabins/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/addona-new-carabins-offensive-line-coach/

CONCORDIA STINGERS:

One of the biggest coaching announcements during the offseason goes to the Concordia Stingers.  In February, Mickey Donovan was hired as only the fifth head coach in the team’s history to replace Gerry McGrath who retired at the conclusion of the 2013 RSEQ season.  Previously, Donovan was Defensive Coordinator of the McGill Redmen.

Soon after, Donovan announced his coaching staff which included his brother Pat as the team’s Defensive Coordinator, Matt Connell as Offensive Coordinator and Marc Calixte on Special Teams.

Assistants include Peter Regimbald, running backs coach and academic advisor; Mathieu Desbiens, linebacker coach; Nathan Taylor, defensive backs coach; Sean Dougherty, quarterback coach; Alex Oliveira, offensive line assistant; Hugo Girard, defensive line coach; Marcel Ethier, offensive line coach, and Guillaume Lacombe, defensive line assistant.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/donovan-to-be-introduced-as-stingers-head-coach/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/donovan-announces-stingers-coaching-staff/

BISHOP’S GAITERS:

Status quo

MCGILL REDMEN:

After the departure of the Donovan brothers, the McGill Redmen had some big shoes to fill.  Three former Montreal Carabins coaches were hired by the Redmen – Ron Hilaire as the team’s new Defensive Coordinator, David Edmunds as defensive backs coach and Alain Mainguy as an Offensive Line Coach.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/mcgill-redmen-add-defensive-coordinator-and-offensive-line-coach/

SHERBROOKE VERT ET OR:

The Sherbrooke Vert et Or went within their personnel to hire the team’s New Defensive Coordinator.  Guillaume Boucher was promoted to the position after serving as a defensive assistant coach since 2011. He has also previously served as Defensive Coordinator/Strength and Conditioning Coach for CEGEP Division 1’s Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars.  He also played for the Vert et Or at the linebacker for four seasons (2004-2007)

OUA:

CARLETON RAVENS:

Status Quo

MCMASTER MARAUDERS:

One of the major stories of the offseason coaching scene was the return of Greg Knox as the Marauders Defensive Coordinator.  Knox previously left the Marauders for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, but only lasted 10 months in the position.  This past spring, Knox came back to the team he guided to their first Vanier Cup in 2011.

Other than Knox, Marauders Offensive Coordinator Jon Behie confirmed to CFC in an interview that Rob Underhill takes over as Special Teams Coordinator from Gary Jeffries.  Most recently, Underhill guided the Hamilton Hurricanes to their second consecutive OFC Varsity Championship and previously coached at the CIS level with the Varsity Blues.

 

Behie also stated that Kyle Quinlan will be taking on a bigger role with quarterbacks as well as the backfield.

“That was kind of a natural progression for him moving into his second year on our staff,” added Behie.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/knox-returns-to-mcmaster/

OTTAWA GEE-GEES:

Back in April, Luigi Costanzo left as the Ottawa Gee-Gees Recruiting Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/costanzo-to-leave-gee-gees-coaching-staff/

WESTERN MUSTANGS:

Another major story of the offseason was that the Mustangs hired Tom Flaxman as an assistant coach (Defensive Front Seven).  Flaxman was hired just a little over two weeks after he resigned as Offensive Coordinator for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.

“Right now, he is going to be helping out on defense coaching the linebackers and helping on special teams,” commented Mustangs Head Coach Greg Marshall during an interview with CFC’s Editor.  “He’s been a great addition, an outstanding young coach, a good person and a good recruiter.”

“Right now, for me to bring him over on offense when there’s Coach [Chris] Bertoia, a full-time coach on offense and myself, we didn’t need him on offense right now.  That’s not to say that he might not be back coaching offense but right now, he help us best by giving us some balance on defense.”

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/mustangs-announce-recruiting-class-flaxman-as-assistant-coach/

WILFRID LAURIER GOLDEN HAWKS:

There are a couple of minor shifts in the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks coaching staff.  Anthony Cannon has moved on to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.  Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach Rob VanMoerkerke will assume defensive line coaching duties.

 

WINDSOR LANCERS:

Steve Snyder departed as Windsor Lancers Special Teams Coordinator and Receiver Coach to assume the Offensive Coordinator position at St.FX. In an interview with CFC’s Editor, Lancers Head Coach Joe D’Amore confirmed that that he will take over Offensive Coordinator duties as Jon Dent has moved on.

“He has a young family now and decided to step away,” explained D’Amore.” I will be calling plays for the first time since I have been here.”

“That’s a change in our offensive system.  It’s always been kind of my system.  I always had an Offensive Coordinator calling the plays, but this year, I will be the one calling them.”

Jon Binns has returned back to the fold as Special Teams Coordinator.

“He was previously with Coach Morencie back when Coach Morencie was the head coach here so he is returning to the program,” explained D’Amore.

Finally, J.P Levac replaces Selwyn Jordan as full time Defensive Line Coach.

YORK LIONS:

In the offseason, the York Lions addressed a major concern by bring in new coaching blood.

“After coming off a season with the worst Special Teams in the OUA, we have a new Coordinator is CFL veteran and former alumni Dr. Sean Foudy,” commented Lions Offensive Coordinator Mike Comeau.  “He brings a wealth of knowledge and energy.”

QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS:

Another team with major offseason coaching news, the Queen’s Golden Gaels were left to find a new Defensive Coordinator after longtime coach Pat Tracey vacated the position this past January and headed over to the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers as special teams coordinator.

On August 15^th, the Golden Gaels announced that Greg Marshall will serve as Defensive Coordinator for the 2014 season.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/tracey/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/marshall-named-queens-defensive-coordinator-for-2014-season/

WATERLOO WARRIORS:

During the offseason, there were some notable changes on the Waterloo Warriors coaching staff. Marshall Bingeman took over as interim Head Coach for the second time in his career as Joe Paopao moved on to the CFLs BC Lions.  Joe Haggins became the Defensive Coordinator while Luke Balch took over as Offensive Coordinator. Matt Fraser also came in as Offensive Line Coach.

“We have a mix of previous coaches and new coaches coming in,” added Bingeman.  “I’m very happy with our coaching staff.”

GUELPH GRYPHONS:

Gregg Butler left the Gryphons coaching staff to become the new Defensive Coordinator of the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO VARSITY BLUES:

One team that underwent a major coaching turnover was the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.  Within a span of a month, Tom Flaxman and Greg Knox both resigned from their positions as Offensive and Defensive Coordinator. However, it didn’t take long for two other OUA teams to hire them – Flaxman was hired just over two weeks later by the Western Mustangs while Knox returned back to the McMaster Marauders.

The Varsity Blues hired former Gee-Gees offensive line coach Luigi Costanzo as their new Offensive Coordinator and former Marauders Defensive Coordinator Kevin Eiben.  Former Toronto Argonaut Jordan Younger also came on board as Defensive Backs Coach and Anthony Cannon came over from Laurier to coach defensive line.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/oua-coaching-changes/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/varsity-blues-exodus-continues/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/costanzo-hired-by-varsity-blues-to-lead-offense/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/two-time-grey-cup-champ-signs-on-to-lead-blues-dbs/

CWUAA:

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS:

There are some changes within the University of Alberta Golden Bears coaching staff as well.  Sean Reader has departed; however, two new coaches join the fold.  Jason Sulz joins the team as Quarterback Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.  Most recently, Sulz was with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.  Additionally, Tom Denehey has joined the Golden Bears as Assistant Offensive Line Coach.

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (UBC) THUNDERBIRDS:

Status Quo

MANITOBA BISONS:

Status Quo

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES:

During the offseason, the Saskatchewan Huskies lost three coaches- two due to family demands and another due to another job opportunity in another city.

Long-time Offensive Line Coach Bart Arnold has moved on.

“He was one of two guys that have been with us for 15 years or longer and he is not going to be back with us this year,” commented Huskies Head Coach Brian Towriss in an interview with CFC’s Editor.

“He has two young kids and a faculty position that demands time.”

“Everything added up and something had to go.  While Bert is still on campus and still around, he won’t be working with us this year.”

Offensive Coordinator Brett Schneider and Receivers Coach Jason Sulz both left the team after spring camp.

“Brett’s been pretty much here since he was a player and he has three young kids,” added Towriss.

Laurence Nixon has joined the Huskies as Quarterback Coach and Offensive Assistant.  Scott Flory, Director of the CFLPA Association and CFL All-Star also came on board as an Offensive Assistant.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/cfl-all-star-flory-named-to-huskies-coaching-staff/

REGINA RAMS:

The Rams have lost Special Teams Coach Denis Losie and Quarterbacks Coach Marc Mueller.  New additions include Linebackers Coach Bruce Anderson as well as Offensive Line Coach Steve Hanson.

Head Coach Frank McCrystal recently announced that he will retire after the 2014 season.

Rams Head Coach McCrystal to retire following 2014 season