Blue opt for Bellefeuille

Veteran coach returns to guide Winnipeg offence

By: Gary Lawless Posted: 1:00 AM CST Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013

Marcel BELLEFEUILLE will be back with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the club's offensive co-ordinator.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Marcel BELLEFEUILLE will be back with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the club's offensive co-ordinator.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/12/2013 (4322 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Marcel BELLEFEUILLE will be back with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the club’s offensive co-ordinator.

Bellefeuille will give rookie head coach Mike O’Shea a veteran voice on his staff and some continuity within the organization.

“Marcel brings a wealth of experience and success to our offensive and I am very pleased he has accepted the position of offensive coordinator,” said O’Shea. “Having worked with some of our players already, and having a grasp on the type of organization we are trying to build, I feel Marcel is the right fit for this position.”

Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press archives
Marcel Bellefeuille joined the Blue Bombers in August as a consultant and was promoted when Gary Crowton was fired. — Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press archives Marcel Bellefeuille joined the Blue Bombers in August as a consultant and was promoted when Gary Crowton was fired.

Bellefeuille was previously head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and has been a lifelong student of the three-down game, first as a player and then a coach.

The Ottawa native was both a running back and defensive back with the Ottawa Gee-Gees before moving into coaching and leading his alma mater to a Vanier Cup.

Bellefeuille has held coaching positions with the Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders during his career. He joined the Bombers in August of last season, first as a consultant and then as offensive co-ordinator when Gary Crowton was fired.

“I’m really thrilled about joining Mike’s staff and continuing to work in an organization steeped in tradition like Winnipeg,” said Bellefeuille “The fans and the city are very passionate about football and we look forward to bringing them a solid offensive unit in 2014 and beyond.”

Bellefeuille spent three seasons as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ head coach from 2009 throught 2011. Under Bellefeuille, Hamilton’s offence moved from one of the league’s worst into a consistent performer producing over 26 points per game. The Tiger-Cats posted a 26-28 record over Bellefeuille’s three full seasons as head coach including three consecutive playoff berths and a trip to the Eastern final in 2011.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives
New head coach Mike O'Shea must still choose a defensive co-ordinator. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives New head coach Mike O'Shea must still choose a defensive co-ordinator.

The Bombers are still searching for a defensive co-ordinator with Rich Stubler’s name still being mentioned in CFL circles. Stubler, the defensive co-ordinator of the B.C. Lions last season, is currently looking for work.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless