The Simon Fraser University Athletics Department introduced their new head football coach, former B.C. Lions offensive coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine, at a Tuesday morning press conference.
The press conference was held in the upper mezzanine of SFU’s West Gymnasium and included Senior Director of Athletic and Recreation, Milton Richards.
"We are extremely pleased to have recruited a top CFL Grey Cup champion coach who has also won a Vanier Cup championship as head coach of Laval University," said Richards in a prepared statement. "Coach Chapdelaine understands the academic rigours of Simon Fraser University having played football and graduated from SFU himself, and we expect he will lead SFU football to new heights on the field and in the classroom."
Chapdelaine played varsity football on Burnaby Mountain in the 1980s before moving on to a six-year career in the Canadian Football League where he played as a slotback with the B.C. Lions, Montreal Concordes/Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger Cats and the Calgary Stampeders..
The end of his playing career in 1989 allowed the Sherbrooke, Que. native to turn his focus to coaching, starting in 1990 as offensive coordinator at Bishop's University. Since that time, Chapdelaine coached collegiately and in the CFL, including a head coaching position at Laval University from 1997 to 2000, where he led the program to their first Vanier Cup title five seasons after the programs inception. "I am very pleased at the opportunity to come back to coach at the collegiate level," said Chapdelaine. "I am excited at the chance to work with student athletes again and being able to do so at my alma mater is an excellent fit."
After his foray into collegiate ball, Chapdelaine coached in the CFL and shared on the staff of three Grey Cup championship winners, with the Calgary Stampeders in 2001, followed by the B.C. Lions in 2006 and again in 2011.
Chapdelaine most recently served as offensive coordinator for the Lions from 2008-13, before parting ways with the organization in November of last year.
He also served as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2007 following his first run on the Lions coaching staff from 2003 to 06.
In 2001, Chapdelaine served as special teams coordinator and receivers coach for the Calgary Stampeders before being promoted to offensive coordinator of the Stampeders for the 2002 season.
Chapdelaine began his coaching career at Bishop's University in Quebec, beginning in 1990 as the school's offensive coordinator. He also held several administrative roles during his time at Bishop's.
Now as a member of the Simon Fraser Clan, Chapdelaine will turn his focus back to the collegiate game, as he attempts to take the program to new heights in the NCAA.
Chapdelaine is expected to announce his coaching staff in the upcoming weeks as the program turns its attention to spring camp.
