CFL.ca Staff

EDMONTON -- Edmonton Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed  announced his coaching staff for the 2012 CFL season on Friday.

“Our new additions, Jamie Barresi, Marcello Simmons and Derrell Mitchell bring both CFL experience and great energy and I believe they’ll mesh extremely well with the returning members of the staff," said Reed

Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Line Coordinator: Kit Lathrop
Lathrop returns for his second season with the Esks, taking on a new role of Assistant Head Coach. Last season, Lathrop's work on the defensive line with rookies Marcus Howard and Julius Williams helped the Eskimos improve their pass rush immensely.

Defensive  Coordinator and Linebackers Coach: Mark Nelson
As previously announced, Nelson is promoted to the role of Defensive Coordinator after serving as the team’s linebackers coach in 2011.

The Edmonton native and former CFL player has 24 years of coaching experience at both the professional and college levels including previous stints with the Esks as special teams coordinator (’92-’94), linebackers coach (’92), running Bbacks coach (93-’94).
  
Defensive Backs: Marcello Simmons
Simmons returns to the CFL coaching ranks following a two-year stint in the CIS with Acadia and Guelph. He played seven CFL seasons with Toronto (1995-1998, 2000, ’01),  Edmonton (1999) and BC (2000).

Offensive Coordinator: Marcus Crandell
Crandell returns for his second season as the club’s offensive coordinator.  A former Grey Cup winning quarterback himself, Crandell will play a critical role this year with the introduction of veteran QB Steven Jyles and the development of young pivots Matt Nichols and Eric Ward.
  
Offensive Line: Tim Prinsen
The Edmonton native and former CFL centre (Hamilton & Edmonton) returns for his third season with the Green and Gold. In his short pro coaching career, Prinsen has quickly earned the respect of his players for his teaching ability and emphasis on fundamentals.

Receivers: Derrell Mitchell
After serving as a scout and guest coach for the Esks over the past few years, Mitchell joins the staff on a full-time basis.

A perennial All-Star slotback during his career with Toronto (1997-‘2003, 2007) and Edmonton (2004 -’06), Mitchell will work with one of the CFL’s top receiving corps led by Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman.
  
Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs Coach: Jamie Barresi
Barresi joins the Eskimo staff after spending the past two seasons as Winnipeg's offensive coordinator. With close to 30 years experience in the Canadian and U.S. college ranks and previous CFL stops in Saskatchewan, BC and Hamilton, Barresi brings sterling credentials to his role with the Esks.

The former University of Ottawa quarterback holds a doctorate in exercise and sports science from Penn State.

Special Teams Coordinator: Rick Campbell
A veteran of 13 CFL seasons, 10 with the Eskimos (1999-2008, 2011), Campbell returns to lead the club’s special teams personnel. Last season, the Eskimos' cover teams were among the best in the league and the Esks finished first in the league in net punting yards.

Campbell was a key member of the coaching staffs of Edmonton’s most recent Grey Cup victories in 2003 and 2005.