Knox leaves Mac & jumps to Pros, Sardo to be introduced as new DC

***UPDATED JANUARY 26th @ 12:30PM EST***

Greg Knox is on the move again.

Knox is making the leap from the CIS to the CFL.  He has taken on a new position with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Back in April 2014, Knox returned back to the McMaster Marauders as Defensive Coordinator. This was his second time at position.  Previous to this recent tenure, he held the same position for seven years until leaving the team to assume the similar position with University of Toronto Blues in May 2013.  He stayed with the Varsity Blues for less than a year.

This past season, Knox helped the Marauders make an appearance in the Vanier Cup Final; however, the team suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Montreal Carabins.

A two-time Grey Cup champion as a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Knox helped guide McMaster to the university’s first Vanier Cup title in 2011 – his second CIS banner after winning one as a player with the Laurier Golden Hawks (1991). During his playing career with the Calgary Stampeders (1992-99), Knox was a captain for several seasons, CFL All-Star in 1994 and Tom Pate “Man” of the Year Award nominee for outstanding sportsmanship, dedication and contribution to the league. After winning his second Grey Cup in 1998, Knox retired but stayed active throughout the league.

The Marauders issued the following press release today (courtesy Bill Malley, McMaster Marauders Sports Information):

The McMaster football program has very mixed emotions in announcing that long-time defensive coordinator Greg Knox will be leaving the Marauders to pursue a professional opportunity in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Upon receiving the news McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek paid tribute to his longtime teammate, coaching associate, and friend, emphasizing how the entire Marauder program has benefitted from Coach Knox’s dedication and hard work.

“For nine years Greg has been a huge part of our program evolving into a Nationally-competitive organization,” said Ptaszek. “We are sad to see him move on to the professional ranks but understand that he is one of the best defensive minds in our country and is ready to make the move to the CFL.”

“We wish him all the best.”

Coach Knox returned to the McMaster staff in 2014 for his ninth season on the Marauder sideline, after spending one year (2013) on staff with the University of Toronto.

As McMaster’s defensive coordinator, he was responsible for honing the OUA’s top defensive unit, which was instrumental in the Marauders winning the Yates Cup and advancing to the team’s third Vanier Cup game in four years. 

Over his tenure at McMaster, Knox saw the Marauders capture three Yates Cup championships, as well as the 2011 Vanier Cup, which was the first national title in school history.

Since being informed of Coach Knox’s new opportunity, Coach Ptaszek has been reviewing candidates to assume the defensive coordinator role on the Marauder staff and expects to make an announcement this week on a replacement

Media sources have reported that Joe Sardo will be introduced as the Marauders new Defensive Coordinator tomorrow.  This will be Sardo’s second time holding the position.  He was previously Defensive Coordinator from 2000-2006 inclusively but left for personal reasons.

As a player, Sardo suited up for NCAA Division 1 team, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.  He also had stints in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.

CanadaFootballChat.com will have more information as it becomes available