Bishop’s hire Loranger as Defensive Coordinator

SHERBROOKE, Que. – Marc Loranger is an accomplished football coach and this week he decided to take the next step in his storied career. The Bishop’s University Department of Athletics and Recreation and head football coach Kevin Mackey announced that Loranger will join the Gaiters’ staff starting after the Easter break. He will assume the duties of Defensive Coordinator.

Most recently Loranger was the head coach of the Cégep Edouard-Montpetit football program in Longueuil, Que., a position he took over in 2013. However the Sherbrooke resident was eager to move closer to home and jumped at the opportunity to return to the CIS.

“This is a great opportunity to be back in the CIS,” said Loranger. “I know Bishop’s but it is a different place now.  There are wonderful facilities and I think we have the opportunity to develop something great. People have the desire and the want for this program to be successful.”

The Gaiters were expanding their coaching staff and when Loranger’s resume crossed Mackey’s desk he knew he had a prime candidate.

“Marc is a terrific coach,” said the Gaiters’ bench boss. “His experience speaks for itself.  We went through a process to make sure we hired the best candidate and Marc was in a league of his own.  Anytime you can add a coach with his qualifications your program immediately becomes better.”

Mackey was previously the team’s defensive coordinator and head coach for the last four seasons. He wasn’t willing to relinquish the duties to just anyone but Loranger, who has served as both a defensive coordinator and head coach in the CIS, certainly made the decision easier.

“We wanted to do what’s best for the football team,” Mackey added. “I feel that Marc will do an excellent job with the defense and it will allow me to have a more global look at our team. I will still be able to help out but will also be able to focus more on special teams as well as recruiting and the administrative tasks.”

Loranger’s CIS experience includes a stint with the Gaiters as their Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator from 2000-2006.  After leaving Bishop’s he made the cross-town jaunt to Sherbrooke where he was their Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach from 2007-2011. He also led the Mount Allison Mounties to the Vanier Cup in 1991 when he was their head coach.

“Marc is known across the province,” said Mackey while citing Loranger’s reputation. “He is a guy on the radar of all Cégep coaches. He will certainly help with recruiting.  He’s also been in our league before and understands the type of football that is played here.  I’m excited to get working with our newest addition.”

“Here we play against the best opponents’ week in and week out,” added Loranger. “It will be challenging and we may have to do some exotic things on defence to be successful but we need to have that winning mentality. We are going to expect our guys to compete every week.”

Source: Martin Rourke, Bishop’s Gaiters Sports Information