A shocker in Gee-Gee land today when current Ottawa University Gee Gee football head coach Jean-Philippe (JP) Asselin left the program to take the Offensive coordinator position with the Carleton Ravens, who will begin play in the OUA in 2013. As a head coach, JP had regular-season records of 7-1 (with a Yates Cup appearance) and 5-3.
CFC asked JP Asselin why he made the move.
“I looked at it from a perspective of two different jobs. I took the emotion out of it and looked at the pros and cons and how they would effect my family, and how they would effect my job coaching. I looked at the two job descriptions and it was clear that the salary with the Raven’s is more beneficial to my family and the job description allows me to do more ‘hands-on’ coaching which I am really looking forward too.”
Coach Steve Sumarah had this to say about the hiring of the 29 year-old Asselin. “Having someone with JP’s experience is hard to find. He knows the job and has done it at a high level. The situation we are in by having to build from scratch requires good people and JP is that guy.”
We asked Sumarah if, now that he has stolen his cross town rivals Head Coach, this is the first victory in the re-born Panda series?
“The Panda game means a lot to the people in Ottawa, but no, I was not trying to stir up the rivalry. JP has coached at a high level and has a good offensive mind. His ability to recruit in eastern Ontario and Quebec is a huge bonus to our program . For us recruiting is the most important thing we can do. We have to do it for the next 15 months.”
Leaving Ottawa U is not new for football coaches and other athletic team coaches. Denis Piche left football completely when he resigned from the Gee Gees two years ago (he has since resurfaced as the head coach of the Outaouais CEGEP program). Danny Laramee turned down the head coaching job in December 2010. Irv Daymond just left the coaching staff to take the same position (offensive line) at McGill and Nelson Martin left to take the same position (defensive backs) with the Hamilton Tiger Cats.
This exodus from Ottawa U isn’t a football only phenomenon. The Women’s Hockey coach (Shelley Coolidge) traveled down the road to take the Carleton Head Coaching job. The Men’s basketball coach (David DeAveiro) went to McGill to take the same job.
The next step for the Raven’s is to hire a defensive coordinator. It is rumoured that Leroy Blugh has been or will be offered the job shortly. Blugh will have to decide between Carleton and accepting an offer from the Faculty of Education program at Queen’s, which he was recently accepted into.
The next step for Ottawa U is to hire a new head coach or place one of their assistants in an interim position. Current paid assistant coaches at Ottawa U include assistant head coach / defensive coordinator CORY MCDIARMID and specials team coordinator / linebacker coach LUIGI COSTANZO. Offensive coordinator Chris Coulson has the most tenure on the staff (since 2002) but is a full-time teacher, and would have to consider a pay cut to be the Gee Gee head coach. Gary Etcheverry, who has past football experiences with McDiarmid, has also been included in the discussion.
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BELOW: Ottawa Gee Gee press release
J.P. Asselin resigns as Head Coach of Gee-Gees Football Program
The University of Ottawa released today that Jean-Philippe Asselin has resigned after two years as the head coach of the Gee-Gees football program.
“This was a very difficult decision,” said Asselin, who plans to continue his coaching career by returning to a more technical coaching position. “I moved up through the ranks here and this was a special place for me to coach. The people I have coached with are dear friends and I am disappointed to leave them, but excited for the future.”
“The coaching staff here have been amazing and I have full confidence in them moving forward,” said Asselin, citing Chris Coulson, Corey McDiarmid, Luigi Constanzo, Corey Goff, David Jackson, and the rest of the coaching staff who have helped to bring in a top level recruiting class and develop an off-season training for returning players, which the outgoing coach expects will pay dividends. “Everyone here, the players especially, are working hard and I think 2012 is going to be a great season for the Gee-Gees.”
The Quebec City native led the Gee-Gees to the Yates Cup game in 2010 as interim head coach. His record in two seasons piloting the program was 12-4 in the regular season, and 1-2 in the OUA playoffs.
“J.P. has put in a tremendous amount of work and passion while representing the University of Ottawa,” noted Luc Gélineau, Director of Sports Services. “We are thankful for his contributions and he will always be a part of the Gee-Gee football program’s history.”
“I would like to thank Luc and the administration for the confidence they showed in me over the years,” said Asselin, who was a receiver with the Gee-Gees from 2003 to 2006. After graduating from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2007, Asselin served as an assistant coach and receivers coach with the Gee-Gees until his promotion to interim head coach in March 2010.
Gélineau and Sports Services are already in discussions to select an interim head coach for the 2012 football season and expect to name their selection within the next two weeks. A search for a full time head coach will be conducted following the season.
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BELOW: Carleton press release (added 12:15 pm)
Carleton University’s department of recreation and athletics is pleased to announce that Jean-Philippe Asselin has been named the offensive co-ordinator of the Ravens varsity football program.
Previously, Asselin was the head coach of the Ottawa Gee-Gees for the 2010 and 2011 seasons and their assistant offensive co-ordinator from 2008 to 2009. During that time, he boasted an overall regular season record of 12-4 and made the Yates Cup in 2010.
“I am extremely excited that our program was able to attract a coach of JP’s ability and knowledge,” said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah. “He knows what it is like to be a leader of a winning program, and to do that in Ottawa is fantastic.”
“JP is a proven recruiter, not only in the Ottawa area, but also across Canada,” Sumarah added. “His addition, along with the beginning of construction of a brand new locker-room and the exciting new stadium upgrades, are key facets in building the program.”
“I am very excited to be part of such a promising football program and I am looking forward to working with coach Sumarah,” Asselin said.
Carleton will also host a kickoff dinner on campus on April 28.
Coaching Experience:
2010-2012: Head Coach, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Finished 1st in OUA with a 7-1 record in 2010
Finished 4th in OUA with a 5-3 record in 2011
2008-2009: Full-Time Assistant Coach, Co Offensive Co-ordinator, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
2007: Receivers Coach, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Support the Head Coach in recruiting offensive players
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