Carleton hires defensive coordinator away from RSEQ team

Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah announced Thursday the hiring of Paul Eddy Saint-Vilien as the Ravens’ new defensive coordinator, adding one of the country’s brightest young football minds to his Carleton coaching staff.

Saint-Vilien joins the Ravens program after spending the past four years in a variety of defensive roles with the Montreal Carabins of the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). Most recently, Saint-Vilien was the defensive coordinator of the Carabins during the 2017 season, with previous experience as the team’s linebackers coach (2014-2016).

“I am very happy to join the Ravens football family and for the opportunity to work alongside coach Sumarah and coach Asselin,” said Saint-Vilien. “After speaking with the coaching staff about the direction and overall vision of the program, it was an easy decision to take the position.” 

Coach Sumarah is thrilled to be adding a coach of Saint Vilien’s calibre and experience to lead his defence in 2018.

“As we enter a new era of Ravens football, we are extremely excited to have one of the top defensive coaches in the country join our program. Paul’s knowledge of the front seven and backend will be invaluable in helping us get back into the playoffs and beyond.”

Saint-Vilien brings significant championship experience to Carleton having been part of Montreal’s Vanier Cup national title-winning team in 2014. Additionally, Saint-Vilien has seen great success with the Carabins over the years, helping guide them to two national semifinal game wins – including the Uteck Bowl title (2014) and Mitchell Bowl title (2015) – as well as two Dunsmore Cup RSEQ championship victories in 2014 and 2015.

“Paul’s experience having won a Vanier Cup as a coach will be a great asset to our team and specifically our defence.  We welcome him and his family to Carleton University.”

Saint-Vilien’s Canadian university level coaching career began as a video analysis coach with the Laval Rouge et Or, where he was a member of the coaching staff for the 2003 and 2004 Vanier Cup championship teams. He was hired by U de M in 2008 where he spent four seasons as the Carabins’ defensive backs coach.

Prior to his time at Montreal, Paul Eddy was defensive coordinator and halfbacks coach of the Spartans of Cégep du Vieux Montréal in 2006 and 2007. Saint-Vilien also enjoyed a two-year stint as head coach of the Montmorency College Nomades from 2012 to 2013.

Saint-Vilien, who hails from Montreal, QC, played collegiately for the Spartans of Cégep du Vieux Montréal from 1996 to 1999 before competing for the Laval Rouge et Or during the 2000 season.

Source: Carleton Sports Information