Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
CALGARY — Almost two weeks after announcing his retirement from the CFL, J.C. Sherritt is set to make the jump to coach.
The Calgary Stampeders announced on Monday that they have hired Sherritt as the club’s linebackers coach.
The 30-year-old Truckee, Calif., native joins the Red and White after a distinguished eight-year playing career in the CFL. He signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2011 and appeared in 109 regular-season games and seven post-season contests over eight seasons. He was a Grey Cup champion in 2015.
“J.C. was a player I always respected and I’m happy to welcome him to the Stampeders organization,” said head coach Dave Dickenson. “I’m confident he’ll be an excellent coach and I’m excited for the fresh perspective he will bring to the defence and the organization.”
Sherritt was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2012 as he established what was then a league single-season record with 130 defensive tackles. In 109 career games, he had 528 defensive tackles, 45 special-teams tackles, 15 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and 14 interceptions.
Prior to his professional career, Sherritt played at Eastern Washington University and he was a member of the Eagles’ FCS national championship team in 2010, the same year he was the Big Sky Conference’s defensive player of the year and won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the FCS.
“I’m excited for the next part of my career,” said Sherritt. “An opportunity arose to coach in Calgary and it was a chance to be part of an organization that has enjoyed a lot of success. It seemed like a dream opportunity.”
The rest of the coaching returns with two members holding new titles – Brent Monson (10th season) is the club’s new defensive coordinator while special-teams coordinator Mark Kilam (15th season) adds the title of assistant head coach.
Receivers coach Pete Costanza (12th season), running backs coach Marc Mueller (sixth season), quarterbacks coach Ryan Dinwiddie (fourth season), offensive line coach Pat DelMonaco (sixth season), defensive line coach Corey Mace (fourth season) and defensive backs coach Joshua Bell (second season) all return in their same roles.
