Simmons names SMU Huskies defensive coordinator & two former players join coaching staff

by Ameeta Vohra

***UPDATED FEB 12 / 13 @ 0900 EST***

The Saint Mary’s Huskies have announced the newest additions to their coaching staff today.

Marcello Simmons has been named the defensive coordinator for the Huskies. Furthermore, Dean Jones will assume the role of Special Teams Coordinator while Brad Chalmers will be the Strength and Conditioning coach for the team.

“I am very pleased to have these three men join the SMU Football Family,” commented Huskies head coach Perry Marchese on the coaching additions. “They are not only great coaches, they are great people.”

MARCELLO SIMMONS:

The native of Tomball, Texas, Marcello brings with him an extensive resume of experience to the Huskies defensive coordinator position.

He began his coaching career with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, where he was the special teams Coordinator from 2003-2008. Moreover, he has coached in the CIS ranks with the Guelph Gryphons as a defensive backs coach in 2011 and the Acadia Axemen as a defensive back coach in 2010. Most recently, Marcello served as the special teams coordinator for the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos.

Additionally, Marcello had a successful career as a player. He suited up for the Southern Methodist University Mustangs for the college football chapter of his career. During his time there, he was named the team’s most improved player in 1992. Subsequent to his graduation from Southern Methodist with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in advertising, Marcello was drafted in the fourth round (90th overall) by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in 1993. He would remain with the Bengals for two seasons- dressed for 16 games and played in two games.

From 1995 to 2001, he would enjoy a successful career in the CFL as he played for the Toronto Argonauts (1995-1998 and 2000-2001), Edmonton Eskimos (1999) and the BC Lions (2000). During his time in the CFL, Marcello has won three Grey Cups with the Argonauts: two back to back championships in 1996 and 1997 as a player and 2004 as a coach.

After the hiring Simmons made the following statement:

“I’m honoured to be a part of the SMU Football family and even more excited to lead this defensive unit for the upcoming 2013 season.”

DEAN JONES:

Dean has a history and passion for football and is thrilled with this new opportunity of being assistant coach of Saint Mary’s Huskies.

A native of Irma, Alberta, Dean brings to the table many years of experience. He has had a successful career as a player as well as a couple of seasons of coaching.

His position as running back was admired by many. He played in high school for the Wainwright Commandos from 1993-1994. Following high school, he was recruited to play junior football for the Edmonton Huskies. He played with this team from 1995-1997. Saint Mary’s University former coach Blake Nill recruited Dean to play with SMU and he played there from 1998-2002. The SMU team was a huge success during this time – especially in 2001 and 2002 when they won the Vanier cup 2 years in a row.

Dean volunteered to coach running backs for SMU in 2005 under Blake Nill and again in 2012 under Perry Marchese.

Dean and his family are very excited to see what the new football season will bring. With a couple of former teammates and friends as coach and assistant coaches as well as many new and talented recruits – SMU is destined to have a successful season!

BRAD CHALMERS:

Brad is a former Saint Mary’s Huskies football alum. He was an offensive lineman with the team until his final year (1999). At the 1999 CFL Draft, Brad was picked in the fourth round (25th overall) by the Montreal Alouettes. Currently, he is the owner of the Elite Performance Centre (EPC) training facility in Oshawa, Ontario.

Simmons photo credit: Edmonton Eskimos website
Jones photo credit: Saint Mary’s Huskies Athletics website

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