Ravens Football Names New Coordinators

April 30th, 2025: Head coach Corey Grant and Carleton Athletics are proud to announce the completion of a national search to hire new offensive and defensive coordinators. The Ravens have hired Ronald Hilaire as the team’s new defensive coordinator, while Nathaniel Griffith will lead the program’s offence.  

“I’m excited to move forward with these two men,” said Corey Grant. “Their experience and leadership bring us great stability as our program prepares for the 2025 season.”  

Hilaire is the former head coach of the McGill Redbirds, having served in the position from 2015-2023. Most recently, Hilaire was the head coach for the 2024 IFAF U20 World Junior Team Canada 2 program. Prior to joining the Redbirds for one season as defensive coordinator, Hilaire was a member of the Montreal Carabins, where he also served as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.   

Griffith joins the Ravens from York University, where he most recently served as the Lions’ associate head coach and offensive coordinator. Griffith has spent the past decade at York, with stints as the special team’s coordinator and run game coordinator. Internationally, Griffith was also a member of the coaching staff for the 2024 IFAF U20 World Junior Team Canada 2. During his coaching career, Griffith has assisted at five East-West Bowl games.  

Griffith has served as the head coach of the Brampton Bulldogs since 2020. He held the same position with the York Region Lions from 2015-2018.

2024, April 10th: "REDBLACKS hire Greg Marshall as Defensive Line Coach"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced, today, that they have hired longtime CFL coach, and Ottawa Rough Riders great Greg Marshall as the team's Defensive Line Coach, ahead of the 2024 season. 

A native of Beverly, Massachusetts, Marshall most recently served as Head Coach at the University of Toronto from 2018 to 2023, and in 2021, guided the team to the postseason for the first time since 1995. Prior to his time with the Varsity Blues, the 67-year-old spent three years as Defensive Coordinator at Queen's.

Marshall is no stranger to the CFL coaching ranks, breaking into the league in 1994 as Defensive Line Coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He added a Defensive Coordinator title in 1996, before moving on to occupy the same two posts for Edmonton from 2000 to 2004. In 2005, Marshall served as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator of the Ottawa Renegades, before running the defence and linebackers for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2006 to 2008. He made his way to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2009, working as Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach for two seasons, before being hired as Head Coach of the Roughriders ahead of the the 2011 season.

As a player, Marshall enjoyed a decorated nine-season career as a defensive end in the CFL, after suiting up in two games with the NFL's Baltimore Colts. He spent his entire career north of the border in the nation's capital, earning CFL East All-Star honours from 1981 to 1984, and was named a CFL All-Star in 1981, and 1983, winning Most Outstanding Defensive Player in the latter year. He was honoured with a spot on the RNation Legacy Wall at TD Place in 2023.

Marshall was drafted in the seventh round, 186th overall, by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1978 NFL Draft, after playing his collegiate football at Oregon State.

Marshall was on radio the night he was hired and during the interview casually wondered if he was the first person to be involved with all three Ottawa pro football teams. 

It kind of brought a chuckle because he played with Joe Paopao in 1987 and was on Paopao's coaching staff with the Renegades. Paopao was also with the REDBLACKS in 2019. Goes to show that as fans, we sometimes have better recollection of these matters than players/coaches do. 

I'd actually meant to share content about Marshall's playing days last year when he was added to the stadium's wall of fame, but admittedly it fell off my radar.

I did find the image below from a November 1983 Ottawa Citizen. Neat to see some other familiar faces on there.  

Unless I have yet to locate it, the reaction to Marshall winning the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award was rather subdued. It seemed to consist of a paragraph or two in articles celebrating the group as whole.

Since we're talking about coaches, let's look at a couple of new faces added to the staff when it was  announces in mid-February.

Pat Perles (OL) returns to the CFL, after having previously worked as the Offensive Line Coach in Saskatchewan (1994-96), Winnipeg (1997), and Hamilton (1998-1999), winning a Grey Cup in his final year with the Ti-Cats. Perles was also a Defensive Assistant with the Los Angeles Rams from 1992-1993, and in 2009 joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a Defensive Quality Control Coach, before working as their Assistant Offensive Line Coach in 2010, and 2011. He has also spent time on the NCAA circuit, previously coaching at Toledo, North Dakota State, Syracuse, and Michigan State. 

Deion Melvin (LBs) joins the REDBLACKS for his first season with the club after spending the last four years as Linebackers Coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Prior to coming north of the border, Melvin’s coaching career began at East Aurora where he worked as a graduate assistant in the early 1990s. He would go on to coach at Western Illinois (1993 to 1998), Missouri State (1999 to 2005), Georgia Southern (2006), Bowling Green (2007 and 2008), Ball State (2009 and 2010) and Lindenwood University (2011 to 2016), before returning for a second stint at Western Illinois (2017 to 2019). In a coaching career that spans 30 years, Melvin has gained experience working with players in all three phases of the game.

Alex Suber also returns to the fold. 

Alex Suber is back for his fourth season with the REDBLACKS, but first since 2022, after spending the 2023 season as Cornerbacks Coach at Middle Tennessee State. The move followed four years in the nation's capital, where Suber served as Defensive Backs Coach from 2019 until 2022, when he took on the role of Receivers Coach. Before joining the REDBLACKS, Suber coached receivers at Murray State University, after spending time as Lyon College’s defensive coordinator. Suber wrapped-up his CFL playing career with 65 games played and 254 defensive tackles.

This, of course, is in addition to naming Tommy Condell offensive coordinator.

"REDBLACKS name Tommy Condell Offensive Coordinator"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced Monday that veteran CFL coach Tommy Condell has been named the club's offensive coordinator. 

Condell, 52, has helped lead his teams to five Grey Cup appearances in the last decade and brings a wealth of CFL and collegiate experience to the REDBLACKS. Most recently, Condell spent four years as Offensive Coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a position he held since he was promoted to the role in 2019 until the end of the 2023 campaign. In his first year as OC with the Tabbies, the team went 15-3 and reached the 107th Grey Cup. He added Quarterback Coach to his duties the following season. 

“Throughout the process of getting to know Bob Dyce, time spent exchanging values and beliefs of all things related to football and beyond, made this the ideal situation for myself and family,” said Condell. “The commitment that is tangibly shown in all areas by the Ottawa REDBLACKS and OSEG to bringing another Grey Cup championship to this great city was evident early on.”

The Utica, NY native joined the Argos as Receivers Coach in 2017 and won a Grey Cup championship that year. He was promoted to Offensive Coordinator in 2018. Prior to joining the Argos, Condell had his initial run with the Ticats as Offensive Coordinator and Receivers Coach, twice reaching the Grey Cup game while also losing to the REDBLACKS in the 2015 East Division Final. 

"We are excited to welcome Tommy and his family to Ottawa. The search process for an offensive coordinator was extensive and throughout it, Tommy’s name kept rising to the up of the list," said Head Coach Bob Dyce. "Not only were we impressed with Tommy's history of successful offensive production, but he has a proven ability to win at the professional level and play to the strength of his personnel. He has a track record of coming into teams and improving offenses, especially through explosive plays and red zone success."

This will mark Condell's second time coaching in Ottawa, having served as Quarterbacks Coach, Receivers Coach and Passing Coordinator with the Ottawa Renegades. Following a two-year stint in Ottawa and a year as Offensive Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Condell again spent time coaching south of the border before returning to the CFL. 

Condell first coached in the CFL in 1997 when he was Special Teams Coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. His American collegiate coaching credits include time with the McNeese State Cowboys, Louisiana-Monroe Indians, Southeastern Louisiana Lions and Cornell Big Red. 

March 2nd, 2023: REDBLACKS add Nadia Doucoure to coaching staff

Photo credit unavailable

The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced, today, that they have hired Nadia Doucoure as Offensive Quality Control Coach, heading into the 2023 season.

"I'm glad to be back full-time with the REDBLACKS and to be taking this next step in my career," said Doucoure. "I can't wait to get on the field this season representing this great organization. Let's get to work!"

Doucoure served as a scout for the REDBLACKS, in 2022, after taking part in the team's Women in Football internship program during training camp. She becomes the second full-time female coach in CFL history, after previously becoming the first female coach in Carleton Ravens history, joining the program in May of 2021.

"We are pleased to have Nadia join our coaching staff for the 2023 season," said Head Coach Bob Dyce. "She will be a valuable addition to the offensive staff."

A native of France, Doucoure's football background is an extensive one. She became involved in the sport in 2002, coaching her local club in La Courneuve. Doucoure also played high-level flag football and rugby, and in 2006, was named technical advisor of France’s National Federation of American Football. Doucoure moved on to Saskatoon from there, learning the rules of Canadian football by coaching locally, and playing for the Saskatoon Valkyries, while coaching women's flag football. Doucoure then returned to Ontario, and took a position with Ontario Football.

February 21st, 2023: "REDBLACKS hire Jykine Bradley to coach defensive backs"

This came as a mild surprise. Following Alex Suber's departure, I assumed DB coaching duties would be managed by defensive coordinator Barron Miles but evidently they preferred to have someone dedicated to that specific position.   

The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced, today, that former CFLer Jykine Bradley has been hired as the team's Defensive Backs Coach heading into the 2023 season.

"We are very pleased to have Coach Bradley joining our staff as the Defensive Backs Coach," said REDBLACKS Head Coach Bob Dyce. "His breadth of CFL playing and coaching experience will be a definite asset to our coaching staff." 

Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Bradley was most recently the defensive backs coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in 2022: his first foray into the CFL coaching ranks. The 42-year-old previously coached the defensive backs at Northwood University (Division II NCAA) in 2021, and was the wide receivers coach of the Waterloo Warriors (U Sports) from 2017 to 2019. 

As a player, Bradley spent his collegiate career with Middle Tennessee, before a stint with the Buffalo Bills in 2004. He then moved on to Hamilton, where he suited up from 2004 to 2010, and finished his CFL career with Edmonton in 2011.

I choose to see this as a good sign. The team often states that they have all the tools to succeed including the money to spend and the willingness to spend it to improve the club. They could have given the DBs over to Miles or transferred responsibilities around between coaches but they added a salary instead. 

I have no idea what kind of coach Bradley is, but we can at least appreciate that they used the resources available to them and avoided cutting corners.  For a team that gave every indication of going cheap from 2019 to 2021 and still has some work to do to shed that perception, it's a step in the right direction, in my view.

"REDBLACKS unveil 2023 coaching staff"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have announced their coaching staff in preparation for the 2023 CFL season. 

Head Coach Bob Dyce will be joined by Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Khari Jones, Defensive Coordinator Barron Miles, Receivers Coach and Pass Game Coordinator Travis Moore, Offensive Line Coach Paul Charbonneau, Running Backs Coach Nate Taylor, Special Teams Coach Cory McDiarmid, Defensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator Mike Phair, Linebackers Coach Patrick Bourgon, and Defensive Backs Coach Alex Suber. 

"I'm thrilled to announce this new group of coaches for the Ottawa REDBLACKS.  I've worked side by side with all of these individuals in the past and, not only are they great coaches, communicators and teachers, they are also men of character," said Dyce. "This is a group that is committed to working together with players both in the meeting rooms and on the field to ensure success. They have won everywhere they have been and we're fortunate to have them all in Ottawa."

Bob Dyce enters his first full year as Head Coach of the REDBLACKS after being named to the position late last season. The Winnipeg native joined Ottawa in 2016 and would help lead the club to a Grey Cup championship that year. Dyce came into the CFL in 2003 as Receivers Coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and his CFL resumé includes seven years in Winnipeg (2003-09) as the receivers coach, six years with the Roughriders (2010-15) as the passing game coordinator/receivers coach, offensive coordinator, special teams coordinator as well as a stretch in 2015 as the team’s interim head coach.

Khari Jones will kick off his first year with Ottawa in 2023 after splitting last year between Montreal and Hamilton. Jones spent three years as Head Coach of the Alouettes, which followed a three-year stint as Offensive Coordinator with the BC Lions. Jones began his CFL coaching career with with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, as Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator from 2009-2011.

Barron Miles also enters his first year with the REDBLACKS this season. Before serving as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach for the Bishop's Gaiters (U Sports) for the 2022 season, the Roselle, New Jersey native spent two years with the Montreal Alouettes - working alongside new REDBLACKS Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Coach Khari Jones - and was the team's defensive coordinator from 2021-2022. His CFL coaching career has also taken him to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and BC. 

Travis Moore returns to Ottawa in 2023 after initially coaching the club's receivers from 2014-2017, appearing in two Grey Cups and winning one in 2016. The 10-year former CFLer has coached with the Saskatchewan Roughriders since 2018. As a player, Moore played 10 seasons for the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, winning two Grey Cup championships with the Stampeders in 1998 and 2001.

Paul Charbonneau returns for his second season coaching Ottawa's offensive line. Before coming to Ottawa, he was the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach at Roosevelt University (NAIA), after stints with Washington University in St. Louis (NCAA), and Lindenwood University-Belleville (NAIA). Charbonneau was with the Montreal Alouettes from 2016-2017, as the team’s Running Backs and Offensive Line Coach.

Nate Taylor joins the REDBLACKS for his first season as a CFL coach. The Montreal native and former defensive back for the Concordia Stingers, was most recently the Offensive Coordinator and Receivers Coach for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. Taylor joined the school as full-time Special Teams Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator in 2016. In 2019, Taylor became the team's receivers coach, while still serving as recruiting coordinator.

Cory McDiarmid is back for 2023 after joining the REDBLACKS late in the 2022 campaign as a Special Teams Assistant.  McDiarmid has coached in various capacities throughout the CFL during his career, winning Grey Cups with BC and Saskatchewan. McDiarmid most recently coached for the Panthers Wrocław in the European League of Football before making his way back to the CFL with Ottawa.

Mike Phair returns in 2023 for his second year as REDBLACKS defensive line coach, this year adding Run Game Coordinator to his title. Phair previously served on the coaching staff of five different NFL teams since 2009, most recently as defensive line coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Before that, Phair spent 2018-2019 with the Indianapolis Colts, also as d-line coach. He has also coached with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, and Seattle Seahawks, as well as the University of Illinois, Tiffin University, and Arizona State.

Patrick Bourgon is returning as REDBLACKS Linebackers Coach after coaching the defensive backs last season. He joined the team for their inaugural season in 2014, as a Football Operations Intern, before becoming a Football Operations Assistant in 2015, and briefly leaving the team to take on the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach roles for the Diables Rouges de Villepinte in France. Bourgon rejoined the REDBLACKS as an Offensive Assistant for their Grey Cup-winning season in 2016, and transitioned to Defensive Assistant in 2018, and Assistant Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coach in 2018, before earning his current role in 2020.

Alex Suber enters his third season with the REDBLACKS but first as Defensive Backs Coach after previously coaching the club's receivers. Before joining the REDBLACKS, Suber coached receivers at Murray State University. Prior to that, he served as Lyon College’s defensive coordinator. Suber wrapped-up his CFL playing career with 65 games played and 254 defensive tackles.

That's a lot of retention for a team that has performed so poorly in recent years, though with some shifting of responsibility thrown in as well. I admit to some trepidation on that retention basis (players included) but I suspect that we can expect to be quite active in free agency again in 2023. I certainly hope so. 

Dec 5th, 2022: "REDBLACKS name Barron Miles Defensive Coordinator"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS continued to add to their coaching staff on Monday, naming Barron Miles the team's defensive coordinator for the 2023 Canadian Football League season.

"I'm very happy to have Barron join our coaching staff for next season," said Head Coach Bob Dyce. "Having worked with and against Barron in the past, I’ve seen how he builds great relationships and communicates his vision for success with his players. I believe we will all benefit from his high energy and direct coaching style."

Miles, 50, is no stranger to the CFL coaching ranks. Before serving as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Bishop's Gaiters (U Sports) for the 2022 season, the Roselle, New Jersey native spent two years with the Montreal Alouettes - working alongside new REDBLACKS Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Coach Khari Jones - and was the team's defensive coordinator from 2021-2022.

Prior to joining the Als, Miles was defensive backs and player development coach of the Edmonton Elks (2016-2019), defensive backs coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2015), defensive backs coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2012-2014), and defensive assitant with the BC Lions (2010-2011).

"I’ve been fortunate to have been in the CFL for over 20 years and meet people like Bob Dyce and Kahri Jones, two of the most intellectual, inspiring and energetic coaches I’ve had the opportunity to work with," said Miles. "They are both quality family men and the kind of men I want to surround myself with, so I'm very excited to be coming to Ottawa to be part of the REDBLACKS."

As a player, Miles was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995, before enjoying an 11-year CFL career with the Alouettes (1998-2004), and Lions (2005-2009). A six-time CFL All-Star, Miles was the East Division's Most Outstanding Rookie in 1998, the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2002, and winner of the Tom Pate Memorial Award in 2004. He is tied for second all-time in interceptions (66), holds the CFL record for blocked kicks (13), and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

REDBLACKS hire Khari Jones as Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced, today, that they have hired former Grey Cup champion Khari Jones as Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach for the 2023 Canadian Football League season.

"I’m extremely pleased to have Khari join the REDBLACKS family; KJ is a great communicator and teacher who brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and energy to Ottawa," said REDBLACKS Head Coach Dyce. "I’ve known KJ for nearly 20 years and we won a Grey Cup together in 2013. It was important to get a man of integrity like Khari to lead our offence going forward and I’m excited to work with him once again. 

Hailing from Hammond, Indiana, Jones spent the bulk of the 2022 CFL season as a Football Operations Consultant with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, following three years as Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes. The 51-year-old guided the Als to the playoffs in both 2019, and 2021.

"I’m very happy and excited to be a part of Bob Dyce’s staff in Ottawa; I have known Bob for over 20 years and I am honoured to work with him again," said Jones. "I can’t wait to help deliver a dynamic offense for RNation and help push us towards the collective goal of bringing a Grey Cup back to Ottawa."

Prior to his time in Montreal, Jones spent three seasons as Offensive Coordinator of the BC Lions, helping them to a West Final appearance in 2016. He was also Quarterbacks Coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2012-2013, where he enjoyed a victory in the 101st Grey Cup. Jones initially broke into the coaching ranks with the Ti-Cats, as Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator from 2009-2011.

Jones' career as a player in the CFL was a decorated one, as the quarterback earned Most Outstanding Player, and CFL All-Star honours in 2001, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, en route to a Grey Cup appearance. He was also named a CFL West All-Star in 2002.

Dec. 2nd, 2022: Bob Dyce named third head coach in Ottawa REDBLACKS history

OTTAWA - With two Grey Cup appearances and a championship under his belt in the nation's capital, Bob Dyce was officially named the third Head Coach in Ottawa REDBLACKS franchise history on Friday.

“We’re excited to bring Coach Dyce back as the third head coach in Ottawa REDBLACKS history,” said General Manager Shawn Burke. “Bob is not only an excellent coach but also a great man who personifies leadership. Bob will continue to inspire players to reach new heights as he leads us into a new era of REDBLACKS football in Ottawa.”

Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, the 56-year-old Dyce has served as the REDBLACKS’ special teams coordinator since 2016, before being named interim head coach in the midst of the 2022 season. In six seasons at the helm of one of the league's top special teams units, Dyce was a key piece of a REDBLACKS coaching staff that won the Grey Cup in 2016, before once again making it to the big game in 2018. 

Before his arrival in Ottawa, he spent five years on the Saskatchewan Roughriders staff; as passing game coordinator and receivers coach (2010-2011), offensive coordinator (2012), special teams coordinator (2013-2015), and interim head coach (2015), winning the 101st Grey Cup in 2013. Prior to his time in Regina, Dyce was the receivers coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2003-2009.

"I'm tremendously excited for the opportunity presented to me by Shawn Burke, Mark Goudie, Adrian Sciarra, Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy, John Pugh and Bill Shenkman to serve as the head coach of the Ottawa REDBLACKS," said Dyce. "It's amazing that, seven years after first coming to Ottawa, I get to lead this talented group of players in front of such a passionate fan base. I look forward to working together with Shawn and the players to build a strong team that we all will be proud of both on the field and in the community."

Oct 5th, 2022: REDBLACKS add Doug Malone and Corey McDiarmid to coaching staff

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have added a pair of experienced coaches to the staff, the club announced Wednesday.

Joining the team are Offensive Consultant Doug Malone and Special Teams Assistant Cory McDiarmid. 

Malone returns to the CFL, where he previously spent time as the Offensive Line Coach with a Hamilton Tiger-Cats team that reached the 2011 East Division Championship game. Malone would then coach the Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive line from 2013-2014 where he would help the team capture the 101st Grey Cup. He would move on to the BC Lions in 2015 before heading back to the United States as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach at Western Illinois. Malone most recently coached at Tennessee Tech, where he had served as Associate Head Coach and then Offensive Coordinator.

McDiarmid, a veteran coach with nearly two decades of CFL experience, comes to Ottawa after a stint as Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach with Panthers Wroclaw of the European League of Football. Prior to his most recent role, McDiarmid served as Special Teams Coordinator with the Toronto Argonauts, a position he has also held with the Edmonton Elks, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions. McDermid has won the Grey Cup twice; first as a Special Teams Coach with the Lions in 2000 and as assistant Special Teams Coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013.

Pro experience will take priority over university experience in listing one's credentials, but it bears pointing out that McDiarmid was also a defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the university of Ottawa, I believe in 2011 and 2012.

REDBLACKS part ways with Head Coach Paul LaPolice

Oct 1st, 2022: The Ottawa REDBLACKS on Saturday announced that Head Coach Paul LaPolice has been relieved of his duties.

Bob Dyce will take on the role of Interim Head Coach through the rest of the season.

“I have enjoyed working with Paul and thank him for his contributions to this team over the past two seasons; today isn’t an easy day,” said REDBLACKS GM Shawn Burke. “In this business, sometimes a change is required to help move a team forward and that’s what we’ve done here. We’re fortunate to have a coach of Bob Dyce’s caliber and experience able to step up and take on this role.”

LaPolice was hired as the second head coach in REDBLACKS history in December 2019, though it would take another year until he would lead the team onto the field following the cancellation of the 2020 campaign. LaPolice has since put up a 6-22 record at the helm of the REDBLACKS.

“Paul is a excellent man who has put everything he has into this job. But, unfortunately, we haven’t won nearly enough games,” said OSEG CEO Mark Goudie. “We are committed to getting back to what RNation deserves which is exciting and winning football.”

Aug 17th, 2022: "Taylor, Miller named coordinators as Gee-Gees football set staff for 2022"

With a mix of updates and new additions, the Ottawa staff continues to take shape under head coach Marcel Bellefeuille in his fifth overall season at the helm of the Garnet and Grey.

Headlining updates to the staff are Nathan Taylor and Brad Miller, who will be taking on new coordinator roles for the upcoming season.

Taylor, who joined Ottawa in 2016 has served in a variety of roles with the Gee-Gees, most recently holding the post of Special Teams Coordinator and Receivers Coach. This season, he will move to Offensive Coordinator while continuing to serve as positional coach with the receivers.

Miller joined the Ottawa staff as Linebackers Coach in 2021 with a long coaching resume at various levels including the NFL and CFL. For the upcoming season, Miller will take over as Special Teams Coordinator while still working positionally with the linebackers.

The pair join defensive coordinator Jean-Vincent Posy-Audette to round out the staff's trio of coordinators. 

Four familiar faces to the program will highlight the changes on the positional coaching front for the season.

Brock Flemming rejoins his alma mater to serve as Offensive Line Coach. A native of Gatineau, Flemming played college football at Colgate, before returning home to play two seasons with the Gee-Gees in the early 2000s. In 2002, he was named a First Team All-Canadian at tackle, before playing parts of two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. Since, he founded the Canadian Football Institute in Ottawa.

Marco Dubé will take the post of Running Backs Coach for the 2022 season after serving for two seasons on the defensive side of the ball with the Gee-Gees. Along with his experience in Ottawa, Dubé has coached in CEGEP with Cégep de l'Outaouais and Cégep Beauce-Appalaches following his time playing at York and with Outaouais.

Vincent Campbell also returns to his alma mater to serve as the Quarterbacks Coach. Campbell played receiver and returned kicks for the Gee-Gees from 2012-14. Following his time at Ottawa, Campbell turned to coaching where he worked in the CFL with Saskatchewan (2022), Edmonton (2021), and Ottawa (2019), as well as in France and collegiately at Simon Fraser.

Alex Labonté will rejoin the Gee-Gees coaching staff for the season, after previously coaching with the team in 2019. Labonté played linebacker at Ottawa from 2011-14 and has served as Head Coach of the Cornwall Wildcats U18 team since 2020.

Raftsmen Coaching Announcement

The following announcement is copied from the Orleans Minor Football Association Instagram account.

From a Cyclone (Iowa State, NCAA) that brought “Downtown” to two Grey Cup winners, that then rolled into coaching the Carleton Ravens to now rolling logs down the Ottawa River as a Raftsmen.

The OMFA is proud to welcome Downtown Eddie Brown as our new Midget Head Coach competing in the NCAFA Midget League.

Coach Eddie is assembling one of the finest coaching staffs that will help ensure our players have fun, compete at the highest level and reach their fullest potential.

"REDBLACKS round out coaching staff with additions of Mike Phair, Paul Saint-Vilien"

OTTAWA (April 25th, 2022) - With CFL training camp on the horizon, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have rounded out their coaching staff with the additions of veteran defensive line coach coach Mike Phair and former Carleton Ravens interim Head Coach Paul Eddy Saint-Vilien joining as a defensive assistant. 

A native of Mesa, Arizona, Phair is no stranger to professional football. The 52 year-old, who spent 2021 as a defensive assistant at Stanford University, has served on the coaching staff of five different NFL teams since 2009, most recently as defensive line coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Before that, Phair spent 2018-2019 with the Indianapolis Colts, also as d-line coach. He has also coached with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (assistant d-line coach), Chicago Bears (d-line coach), and Seattle Seahawks (assistant d-line and linebackers coach), as well as the University of Illinois (run game coordinator and d-line coach), Tiffin University, and Arizona State.

Phair has also worked as a scout with the Buccaneers, and Seahawks, helping Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory in 2003.

As a player, Phair suited up as a linebacker with ASU from 1990-1992, after earning All-Conference honours with Mesa CC.

Saint-Vilien joins the REDBLACKS after spending the last four years with the Carleton Ravens, most recently serving as interim Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Prior to his time with Carleton, served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach with the Montreal Carabins between 2014-2017. The Montreal native won the Vanier Cup with the Carabins in 2014 while also capturing the Uteck Bowl in 2014 and the Mitchell Bowl the following season.

He played collegiately for the Spartans of Cegep du Vieux Montreal, as well as a year with the Laval Rouge et Or in 2000. Following his playing career he joined Laval as a video analysis coach in time for the school's Vanier Cup wins in 2003 and 2004. 

I was pleased to see Saint-Vilien's name come up. Again, said from the perspective of someone on the outside looking in, it felt like he got a bit of a raw deal in his the past few months from Carleton. Former Ravens head coach left rather suddenly and when Saint-Vilien assumed the position on an interim basis, many current and former players expressed that the post should be permanent.

In a matter of weeks, it was awarded to Corey Grant, which may turn out to be an excellent hire (he can certainly make a strong case) but Saint-Vilien stepped up when asked to and it's good to see him rewarded. 

CJFL Spotlight on Gord Hudson

Following the announcement that Gord Hudson was named Head Coach of the Ottawa Sooners, the CJFL turned their spotlight on him and produced the interview below. Have a listen. 

"Ravens Name Corey Grant as the New Head Coach"

OTTAWA – The Carleton Ravens are proud to announce Corey Grant as the new head coach of the Carleton Ravens football team. Grant becomes the 14th head coach in the history of the Ravens varsity football program.

Grant joins the Ravens from the McMaster Marauders where he has served as the assistant coach and offensive coordinator since 2019. In addition to his role with the football team, Grant was also an Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Lead within McMaster’s Department of Athletics and Recreation. Prior to joining the Marauders, Grant spent six years coaching with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he served in various roles including assistant offensive coordinator.

Over the past two seasons with the Marauders, Grant’s offences were consistently ranked at the top of the OUA in total offence, passing yards and first downs. In 2019 Grant and the Marauders won the Yates Cup as OUA champions.

...

A former teacher with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Grant holds a Master of Science in Education and his teaching certification from Canisius College, along with a Bachelor of Arts, Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Prior to his career in coaching, Grant had an 11-year CFL career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders. A two-time Grey Cup Champion, Grant was named the 1999 Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year after being drafted 7th overall in the 1999 CFL Draft.

In addition to his extensive football resume, Grant has a lengthy resume of community work, including being the Co-Chair of the OUA Black Biracial Indigenous Committee (BBI), Assistant Director of the Black Canadian Coaches Association, Chair of the Hamilton Black History Council, and the Founder of the Black Football Coaches of Canada, among many other highlights. His community leadership also includes having developed the OUA’s United Against Racism campaign idea and the Football Coaching Apprenticeship for Women at McMaster University.

Ottawa Sooners Coaching Announcement

OTTAWA - We are proud to announce our Head Coach for this year's CJFL season, Coach Gordon Hudson.

With a stellar repertoire, Coach Gord, a former semi-professional football player, has been affiliated with the Ottawa Sooners Team from as early as his younger playing days. He played two solid seasons with the team, appearing in the National Championships 4 years straight, leading to a win in 1984.

He is also seen to have coached the Ottawa Sooners Midget Program in 1996, after receiving his level 2 coaching certification.

We are proud to have him on board, and we are confident he will lead the team to victory.

"Former CFL All-Star Fred Reid joins REDBLACKS as running backs coach"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have rounded out their coaching staff, hiring former CFL All-Star Fred Reid as running backs coach for the 2022 season.

...

Hailing from Tampa, Florida, the 39 year-old Reid served as running backs coach for the Toronto Argonauts during the 2021 CFL campaign. Despite rushing the fourth-fewest times as a team, last year, the Argonauts ended the season with 1,272 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns on the ground, the third-highest mark across the league.

As a player, Reid enjoyed a brief stint with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as the Mississippi Mudcats, in the second incarnation of ArenaFootball. He then moved on to the CFL, joining the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and seeing his best statistical season under now-REDBLACKS head coach Paul LaPolice in 2010, rushing for 1,396 yards and six touchdowns.

All told, Reid appeared in 83 CFL games from 2007-2011, rushing for 4,451 yards, and 22 touchdowns, to go with 1,214 return yards.

"Carleton Ravens to Launch National Search for New Football Coach"

Can't say I saw that one coming. 

The Carleton University Department of Recreation and Athletics is launching a national search for a new Raven’s football head coach.

“We are thankful to Steve Sumarah for the role he played in bringing our football program back,” said Jennifer Brenning, Assistant Vice President of Recreation and Athletics. “Steve was instrumental in leading the successful return of the rebranded Ravens football program in 2013. We have a lot of respect for Steve and what he has achieved as a well-regarded member of the university sport community in Canada. We thank him for his contributions to the program over the past ten years and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

Until a new head coach is hired, the athletics department will work with the assistant coaching staff to continue to deliver a high-quality program and to support the student athletes.

He has a regular season record of 29-33 at the school and 3-5 in the playoffs. 

The team was knocked out of the playoffs on November 6th so I can't help but find the timing and suddenness of this announcement a little suspect.

Sept 2nd, 2002: uOttawa 43 @ Toronto 00

Results of the 2002 university of Ottawa Gee-Gees season have been added to that team's page, including a couple of game recaps that were "crop, copy and paste" friendly from the Ottawa Citizen.

I want to emphasize the first game of that season because it was Denis Piché's head coaching debut. Piché would lead the team to a 44-20 regular season record and make them perennial playoff participants so that game seemed noteworthy.