Concordia head coach: Last five standing

Sources tell CFC five candidates shortlisted for Stingers Head Coach vacancy.

Multiple sources tell CFC that five candidates are being interviewed for the Concordia Stingers Head Coach position.

Sources have also indicated that prior to the shortlisting, Laval Rouge et Or Coach Brad Collinson, York Lions Head Coach Warren Craney and McGill Redmen Offensive Coordinator Pat Boies were all contacted regarding the vacancy.

Here are the following five candidates that are being considered for the position:

JACQUES CHAPDELAINE:

This past November, Chapdelaine parted ways with the BC Lions after serving as the team’s Offensive Coordinator for five seasons (2009-2013).  Additionally, he was the Edmonton Eskimos Offensive Coordinator in 2007.  Chapdelaine has previously instructed in different capacities with the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders.

Chapdelaine may have an advantage over other applicants as he comes with previous CIS Head Coaching experience.  From 1997-2000, the Sherbrooke, Quebec native was the Head Coach of the Laval Rouge et Or.  Chapdelaine led the team to their first ever Vanier Cup victory in 1999. He has previously served as Offensive Coordinator with Bishop’s Gaiters.

As a player, Chapdelaine enjoyed a seven year career in the CFL as a slotback with four different teams – Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes/Concordes and BC Lions.  He has won the Grey Cup three times in his career. He was drafted in the first round (fifth overall) in the 1983 CFL Draft by the Lions.

PETER CHRYSSOMALIS:

Chryssomalis has the most recent experience of serving as Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator of CEGEP Division 1 team, Vanier Cheetahs, a position he has held for the past 10 seasons.

Previous to the Cheetahs, Chryssomalis instructed the junior Chateauguay Raiders and the midget LaSalle Warriors.

As a player, Chryssomalis played in the CIS for the Bishop’s Gaiters.

MARC LORANGER:

Loranger has extensive coaching experience.  Recently, he completed his first season as Head Coach of CEGEP Division 1 team Edouard-Montpetit Lynx.  Previous to the Lynx, he instructed at the high school level with College Charles-Lemoyne in 2012.

He also has previous CIS coaching experience as he has completed stints with the Sherbrooke Vert et Or (assistant coach -2011) and Bishop’s Gaiters (Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator).  Loranger achieved major success as Head Coach of the AUS’ Mount Allison Mounties, when he led the team to a Vanier Cup appearance in 1991.  For his efforts that season, he was named AUS Coach of the Year.

For five years, Loranger served as Head Coach of Team Quebec (2006-2011).

Loranger began his coaching career at the CEGEP level with Division 1 team, Vieux-Montreal Spartiates as the Defensive Coordinator in 1984.  He led the Spartiates to the team’s first ever Bol D’Or championship appearance in 1989.

MICKEY DONOVAN:

Currently, Donovan is the Defensive Coordinator of the McGill Redmen, a position he was appointed to in 2011.

Previous to the Redmen, he completed a four year stint with the Western Mustangs.  During his time there, Donovan served in different capacities including Linebackers Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator.

Moreover, the native of Laconia New Hampshire previously guest instructed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was Special Teams Coordinator of Team Canada’s under-19 squad at the 2009 IFAF World Junior Championships in Columbus, Ohio and was Defensive Coordinator of Team Ontario West’s entries at Football Canada Cups in Wolfville, Nova Scotia (2010) as well as Lethbridge, Alberta (2011).

Donovan began his coaching career in 2006 as an intern with NCAA Division 1’s University of New Hampshire.

As a player, Donovan played the linebacker position with NCAA Division 1 team, University of Maine.  Later, he transferred over the Stingers where he enjoyed a successful CIS career.  For his exceptional play, the former Stingers alumni was selected as RSEQ’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player twice, awarded the President’s Trophy in 2004 as the CIS’ Top Defensive Player and has been selected as an All-Canadian.  He served as Captain of the Stingers.  He ended his playing career in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

BRYAN CHIU:

An inside applicant, Chiu is currently the Stingers Assistant Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach and Director of the team’s Football School. He has been with the Stingers since 2010.

As a player, the Vancouver, British Columbia native spent 13 seasons with the Montreal Alouettes organization.  During his time with the Alouettes, he was named the CFL Eastern Division’s Most Outstanding Lineman in 2002, selected as a CFL All-star nine times and won two Grey Cups (2002, 2009).

Chiu graduated from Washington State University in 1997 and started in 11 games with the Cougars.  He suited up for his high school team, Vancouver College Fighting Irish of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA).

Photo credits:

Chapdelaine – CFL Website
Chryssomalis – Vanier College Website
Loranger – LeCourierduSud.ca
Donovan – McGill Redmen Sports Information Website
Chiu -Concordia Stingers Sports Information Website