Champlain coach leaves to become OC of Guelph

GUELPH, ON (February 27, 2017) — Gryphon Football is proud to announce Jean-Francois Joncas as the team’s new offensive coordinator as Todd Galloway has recently accepted a newly created position with the team in a full-time recruiting capacity.

“Todd has been instrumental in our success the past six years,” Guelph Gryphons football head coach Kevin MacNeill said. “His new title reflects his importance to the Gryphon Football program, our future and how much we value his abilities. In addition to being an excellent coach, he has always been an outstanding ambassador of UofG. He has a great ability to connect and lead student-athletes and I have no doubt he will excel in this new and important role.”

“And we are thrilled to have JF join our program. He is one of the most respected coaches in Quebec with a proven track record. He’s done great things for Champlain and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him join our staff,” further noted MacNeill. “His leadership and desire for success are second-to-none. He will be an immediate asset as we begin planning for spring training and next season.”

Joncas’ coaching career spans 11 years with the Champlain Cougars, a CEGEP Div. 1 league team in Saint-Lambert, QC. As the head coach of the team, he helped the Cougars to seven Bowl d’Or finals (’06, ’08, ’09, ’12, ’13, ’14, 15) and won it twice in 2013 and 2015. Other coaching stops for Joncas include serving as a member of the Team Quebec coaching staff that won the U17 Canada Cup in 2007 and 2008 and then the U18 championship title in 2012. He has also served as the offensive line coach for the 2016 National Junior U19 team that won a gold medal at the last world championship in China.

In his playing days as a centre at Laval University (1999-03) Joncas won two Vanier Cups (’99, ’03) and was named an all-conference player three times (’01, ’02, ’03) and a CIS All-Canadian in 2003. Following University, he signed as a free agent with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and then the Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League in 2004 and 2005.

“I’m very excited for the move to Guelph and to work with the Gryphon staff and their incredible student-athletes that make up this program,” said Joncas. “I want to thank Scott McRoberts (Director Athletics) and Kevin MacNeill (Head Coach) for this great opportunity. I also understand the expectations at the University of Guelph and invite them because I have the same expectations of myself. I look forward to working with the coaches and players in place and getting ready for the 2017 season.”

Galloway recently completed his sixth season with the program as the offensive coordinator. During his tenure the Gryphons hold an impressive 31-8 regular season record and a 5-5 playoff record that includes three Yates Cup appearances and an historic Yates Cup Championship title in 2015. With over a decade of diverse coaching experience at various levels including USports, high school and varsity leagues he’s proven to be a highly successful and intelligent coach.

As a student-athlete the Kitchener, Ont. native played wide receiver at Wilfrid Laurier (2000-03) while earning an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Biology and pursued a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences with a specialization in Physiology and Pharmacology.

“I am excited to transition to this new role,” said Galloway. “I have really enjoyed connecting with student-athletes and their families and look forward to doing that in an even bigger role. Our program works tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence and success at the highest level and I cannot wait to continue working towards recruiting outstanding student-athletes across the country.”

The Gryphons are set to open their spring training camp August 11th. They will host the Ottawa Gee-Gees in their season opener on Sunday, August 27.

Source: Guelph Gryphons