CIS coaches have been busy this off-season recruiting for the class of 2013 and beyond. Not only have staffs been re-stocking their playing rosters, but they have also been restocking their coaching rosters. Since the end of the season, three new head coaches have been hired and 20 new coordinators have been or will be hired in the coming weeks. Here is a recap of all the action:
AUS:
SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES:
Earlier this week, the Huskies announced three new additions to their coaching staff. Marcello Simmons takes over the defensive coordinator and brings with him experience from both CFL and CIS. The position was vacant since the departure of Devin Murphy, this past November. Dean Jones has assumed the role of Special Teams Coordinator while Brad Chalmers becomes the Strength and Conditioning Coach.
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER X-MEN:
In January, the X-Men hired Bob Mullen to replace John Svec as their defensive coordinator position. A Queen’s Golden Gaels football alum, Mullen came to the X-Men after serving in the same position with the Kingston Grenadiers of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) for five years and as head coach of the Loyalist Collegiate Football Team. Mullen previously coordinated the Golden Gaels defense (1998-2000). Soon after, Bob Howes followed Mullen and joined the X-Men coaching staff.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/mullen-appointed-x-men-football-defensive-coordinator/
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/bob-howes-joins-stfx-x-men-football-coaching-staff/
MOUNT ALLISON MOUNTIES & ACADIA AXEMEN:
Not much movement at Acadia & Mount Allison. Kelly Jeffries signed a new four year contract extension and Jeff Cummins, after interviewing for the Ottawa Gee-Gees job, withdrew his name prior to final deliberations.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/decision-time-for-ottawa-laurier-the-winner-is/
RSEQ:
LAVAL ROUGE ET OR:
The Vanier Cup Champions secured Justin Ethier to a long term commitment this past December. Ethier served as the interim offensive coordinator since September 13th, 2011. Prior to this season, he was with team from 1997 to 2009.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/ethier-returns-as-offensive-coordinator-of-vanier-cup-champions/
MONTREAL CARABINS:
After reports that Danny Maciocia interviewed with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, the Carabins head coach silenced all by confirming that he will stay put with the RSEQ team. Moreover, Maciocia decided to also take on the role of Carabins defensive coordinator after Noel Thorpe’s departure. Thorpe left in late November to assume the defensive coordinator role with the Alouettes.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/danny-maciocia-to-stay-with-the-carabins/
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/noel-thorpe-leaves-carabins-for-the-alouettes/
CONCORDIA STINGERS:
Defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator Phil Roberts was relieved of his duties with the team in December. Luc Pelland takes over as defensive coordinator and Shawn Mayne is the new special teams coordinator.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/gerry-mcgrath-announces-changes-to-football-coaching-staff/
BISHOPS GAITERS:
Defensive coordinator Ray Gagnon was let go a few weeks ago. A successor has not been named. Expect Ray to end up on his feet with an OUA team.
MCGILL REDMEN:
The core staff returns, but seasonal offensive line coach Irv Daymond has moved on. Jerome Erdman joins the Redmen as special teams and defensive line coach while Dave Spence takes on the role of receivers coach. Spence previously did the same role with the Concordia Stingers.
SHERBROOKE VERT ET OR:
Status Quo
OUA:
CARLETON RAVENS:
The Ravens announced yesterday that former professional player Darrell Adams has joined their football staff as Strength and Conditioning Coach.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/carleton-ravens-welcomes-adams-to-staff/
MCMASTER MARAUDERS:
Last month, the Marauders hired former Wilfrid Laurier Hawks head coach Gary Jeffries as Special Teams Coordinator. He is a four-time OUA Coach of the Year as well as being named CIS Coach of the Year once. In his 10 year stint as head coach of the Golden Hawks, he led the team to a Vanier Cup victory. He will be reunited with Marauders head coach Stefan Ptaszek.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/marauders-add-former-laurier-coach/
OTTAWA GEE-GEES:
This past January, the Gee-Gees named Jamie Baressi head coach. The University of Ottawa alumni comes to the football program armed with a wealth of coaching experience at the CFL and NCAA levels. Most recently, he was the run game coordinator for the Edmonton Eskimos. Baressi will be looked upon to lead the Gee-Gees to a playoff appearance, as they’ve failed to make it for two consecutive years.
Yesterday, the Gee-Gees confirmed that Devin Murphy has been hired for the defensive coordinator position. Meanwhile, Barresi continues to meet with and interview candidates for other coaching positions. Since he did not have people that he wanted to bring in with him when he was hired, he is taking his time to select the right people.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/barresi-named-ottawa-gee-gees-head-coach/
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/murphy-named-ottawa-gee-gees-defensive-coordinator/
WESTERN MUSTANGS:
With Dennis MacPhee’s departure from the Mustangs, the reports that Paul Gleeson will return to the team as their defensive coordinator after a one year sabbatical has been confirmed by head coach Greg Marshall.
WILFRID LAURIER GOLDEN HAWKS:
Michael Faulds left his role with the York Lions to assume head coaching duties for the Golden Hawks in early January. He took over the job after long time coach Gary Jeffries left the football program in November 2012. Additionally, Ron VanMoerkerke was appointed associate head coach and maintains his role as the team’s defensive coordinator.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/laurier-names-faulds-new-football-head-coach/
WINDSOR LANCERS:
The Lancers are looking for an associate head coach. The selection committee is finalizing a short list of candidates for the position. On February 5, 2013, Lancers head coach Joe D’Amore gave an update on the search:
“We had over 28 applications and we are looking to create a short list of three to four applicants,” commented D’Amore. “We are hoping to begin the interview process as early as next week and I am hoping to get someone in the position by February 25th. We are very excited about the applications and look forward to selecting the right candidate for the position.”
Rumours have internal and external candidates as hopeful candidates. A former AUS coordinator, London high school coach, and current OUA coordinator are believed to be high on the list of candidates.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/windsor-lancer-football-to-hire-full-time-assistant/
YORK LIONS:
With Michael Faulds accepting the head coaching position with the Wilfrid Laurier Hawks, the Lions’ offensive coordinator position became vacant. In early January, Mike Comeau was appointed to the position. He was the offensive line coach for the team since 2011. Previously, Comeau had coaching stints with the Concordia Stingers and the Etobicoke Eagles of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). He is a former Stingers offensive lineman.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/comeau-named-lions-offensive-coordinator/
QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS / WATERLOO WARRIORS / GUELPH GRYPHONS / TORONTO VARSITY BLUES:
Status Quo for these teams with respect to head coaching and coordinator positions.
CWUAA:
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS:
In December 2012, the Golden Bears hired three time Grey Cup winner and former JP Metras Trophy recipient Chris Morris as the team’s new head coach. He is also a former University of Alberta student and played CIS football for the Toronto Varsity Blues. At the high school level, Morris was the offensive coordinator of the Harry Ainlay Titans (Edmonton).
After assuming the position, Morris added Rick Walters (offensive coordinator), Danny Boily (defensive coordinator), Barclay Spady (defensive line), Tim Prinsen (offensive line) and Shannon Garrett (defensive backs) to the Golden Bears coaching staff.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/chris-morris-named-golden-bears-football-head-coach/
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/prinsen-and-garrett-added-to-alberta-golden-bears-staff/
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (UBC) THUNDERBIRDS:
The Thunderbirds have confirmed that Jerome Erdman and Chris Hoople are no longer with the team as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach respectively. While the search is ongoing for the defensive coordinator position, Frantz Clarkson has been hired as the defensive backs coach. He comes to the Thunderbirds from the University of Alberta Golden Bears football program.
https://www.canadafootballchat.com/ubc-thunderbirds-defense-undergoes-coaching-overhaul/
MANITOBA BISONS / REGINA RAMS / SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES / CALGARY DINOS:
Status quo for these four programs with respect to head coaches and coordinators.
Photo Credits:
Acadia Axemen: Mona Ghiz (http://www.ghizphotos.ifp3.com)
Luc Pelland: Football Quebec Website
Ray Gagnon: LaPresse Website
Paul Gleason: London Free Press
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