March 25, 2022
By 3Down Staff
The University of Montreal has hired former CFL defensive lineman Jean-Samuel Blanc as special teams coordinator and assistant defensive coach.
Freshly retired after a six-year career with the Montreal Alouettes, Blanc is making a comeback with the Carabins. The program alum will return to the school whose colours he wore from 2011 to 2014 and with which he won the first Vanier Cup in program history.
“I’m very happy to be back with the Carabins,” Blanc said. “I had surgery in December and I was a free agent. When Marco approached me, we discussed the coaching profession for a long time and that changed my perspective. I spent a week talking about it with my loved ones, then I mourned my playing career and now I’m ready to go back to work.”
Blanc will take his first steps as a coach in an environment he knows well. The former Vanier College Cheetah was the Alouettes’ special teams captain for the past two seasons.
“I am very happy to be able to bring a new perspective on special teams to our young student-athletes,” said the former number 40 for the Carabins. “With our youngsters, the importance of special teams must be emphasized. It is also an important gateway to a professional career.”
The security and police studies graduate will also provide players on the defensive front with his expertise in the art of chasing opposing quarterbacks. Blanc is still the co-holder of the Canadian university record for the most quarterback sacks in a season at 12.5.
“For me, Jean-Samuel was an ideal candidate,” said head coach Marco Iadeluca. “His impact will not only be felt within our special teams, our defensive players will learn a lot from one of the most prolific players in our history.”
The Carabins bench boss is delighted to be able to count on another former student-athlete of the program among his group of coaches, he who rubbed shoulders with Blanc during his years in the blue uniform.
“Jean-Samuel has always been a strength within our team, a leader with an impeccable work ethic. It’s important to build with alumni who believe in this program and who want to give back to young people”
During the break forced by the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, Blanc took his first steps as a coach by getting involved with many organizations in the province. He will begin this new chapter of his career the first week of April.
The career of Jean-Samuel Blanc in brief:
Elected to the Quebec conference, RSEQ defensive all-star team in 2012, 2013 and 2014
Named a first-team All-Canadian in 2012
His 12.5 quarterback sacks in 2012 is an RSEQ record, a team record, and a mark achieved by only two players in the history of Canadian university football
Second in Carabins history for most career quarterback sacks (23)
Vanier Cup champion in 2014 with the Carabins
Recorded 62 special teams tackles in 88 games with the Alouettes
Had 10 tackles, two quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles in six seasons with the Als
Bol d’Or champion with the Vanier Cheetahs in 2010
Played high school football with the Collège Mont-Saint-Louis Kodiaks.
VIA: https://3downnation.com/2022/03/25/former-cfl-defensive-lineman-jean-samuel-blanc-hired-by-university-of-montreal-as-special-teams-coordinator/
Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com
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