KINGSTON, Ont. (June 6, 2022) – Queen’s Football announced Canadian Football Hall of Famer Leroy Blugh has joined the coaching staff as Defensive Line Coach ahead of the 2022 season.
For Blugh, who grew up and played in nearby Napanee, Ont. before his professional playing career, and coached with the Gaels in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the appointment is a homecoming of sorts.
“I always loved Napanee, and it’s always great to be home. I grew up here and so you know, lived in different places in Canada but Napanee is always home so I’m very happy to be here. And to be able to go to Queen’s makes it that much better.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Queen’s and working with the football team. What I liked about Queen’s was being at home and being able to coach football, and of course, being able to work with young athletes. And help us win, of course.”
Blugh played 15 seasons in the Canadian Football League, split between the Edmonton Elks (1989-2000) and Toronto Argonauts (2001-03). The two-time CFL West Division All-Star won the 81st Grey Cup in 1993 with Edmonton and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1996. Blugh, who finished his career with 77 career sacks, was elected to the CFHOF in 2015.
“Coach Blugh is a tremendous addition to our program, he’s one of the top Canadian defensive line coaches on the planet and a fantastic human being,” said Queen’s Football Head Coach Steve Snyder.
“Anytime you can bring on a Canadian Football Hall of Famer, former professional coach, Grey Cup Champion that is a special opportunity for any program, so we are certainly excited.
“We have an amazing football program and university. Coach Blugh spent time on the Queen’s staff in 2011-12, and he has familiarity with some of our staff who all think so highly of him. Coach Blugh actually coached against me when I was a university player, I remember the incredible presence he had and how well coached his team was.
“This is a great day for Queen’s Football especially our young defensive line unit.”
After his playing career, Blugh returned to Bishop’s where he coached for seven years (2004-10), the last six as head coach, winning the QUFL Coach of the Year award in 2007. After his two years at Queen’s, Blugh returned to the CFL for Edmonton (2013), the Ottawa Redblacks (2014-19), and the BC Lions (2020), winning a second Grey Cup in 2016 as a member of the Redblacks coaching staff.
Blugh said he wants to bring all that experience to Richardson Stadium with the Gaels next season.
“I just really want to bring my experience [to the team]. There are some great players and you have to respect what the what they know and how they’ve been coached. I just want to add on and help to make them better. That’s the goal for everyone in all of our jobs as coaches, to help athletes to be better.”
Blugh will be coaching a position group that recently graduated Anthony Federico (17th overall to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 2022) and Cam Lawson (16th overall to the Montreal Alouettes, 2020) to the CFL. He said he wants to help the next generation of Gaels follow that path as well.
“I think that you will see a group play fast that will really enjoy flying around on the field. My job is to sort of get them to be in the right spot at the right time.”
The Gaels will open their OUA regular season on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. against the Toronto Varsity Blues. To view the full schedule, click here.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
