Kevin MacNeill & Perry Marchese named to Gryphon Football coaching staff


The Guelph Gryphons are pleased to announce the addition of Kevin MacNeill and Perry Marchese to the football coaching staff as announced today (June 15).

Former University of British Columbia (UBC) assistant coach Kevin MacNeill has been named as the defensive coordinator while former Bishops assistant coach Perry Marchese is the new offensive coordinator.

“I’m excited to welcome Kevin and Perry to our football program,” said Tom Kendall, director of athletics at Guelph. “They possessed all the qualities we were looking for and will bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the team.”

The two coaches with a combined 22 years of coaching experience were hired as fulltime assistant coaches with the program.

“Kevin and Perry share a love of football, a burning desire to win and are dedicated to helping their players become the best they can be on and off the field,” said head coach Stu Lang. “During their respective interviews they both talked a lot about the importance of their players setting and achieving high standards of excellence. They truly are personally committed to helping our student-athletes navigate through their demanding schedules and work towards a degree.”

MacNeill has spent the last two seasons coaching in the Canadian West conference at UBC as the recruitment coordinator, special teams coordinator, linebacker coach and assistant defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he coached at his alma matter, Wilfrid Laurier University from 2004-2007 as a linebackers and special teams coach. He helped guide Laurier to a Vanier Cup in 2005. MacNeill also served as the head coach for the Guelph Bears of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) from 2005-2006, winning the coach of the year award (2006). The Bears went on to consecutive semi final appearances.

Prior to getting his start in coaching MacNeill had an outstanding five-year playing career from 1999-2003 for the Golden Hawks. He was named a CIS second team all-canadian linebacker in 2003 and was an OUA all-star in 2001 and 2003 and was later signed by the Montreal Allouettes. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications (2003).

“Kevin is a great hire for our football program,” said Lang. “He’s very passionate, demanding, and promises never to be outworked. He has achieved a high level of success both as a player and a coach and will be an inspiration to our coaching staff.”

Marchese, joins the Gryphons after serving as the elite program coordinator for the Ontario Football Alliance this past year. In 2009 he served as the offensive coordinator for Bishop’s University in the QSSF. He spent six years coaching in the OVFL for the Steel City Ironmen as the offensive coordinator. He also coached with Team Ontario, winning two national championships (2002 & 2003). Marchese coached professional football in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Toronto Argonauts as the offensive assistant and running backs coach in 2004 and 2005 respectively and then as the offensive assistant with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2006.

Marchese graduated from St. Mary’s University in Halifax with a master’s degree in business administration (1997) and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from McMaster University (1992).

“Perry is a well connected and outstanding coach,” said Lang. “He is intelligent and a great teacher and strategist. His experience coaching professionally will be invaluable to the team.”

A few more staffing changes and additions will be announced shortly. Perry can be reached at [email][email protected] while Kevin can be reached at [email][email protected].

The Gryphons will kick-off the 2010 season with training camp in August

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