Ottawa, ON – Some changes were to be made in the offseason for the Carleton Ravens football as they underwhelmed, getting trounced in the OUA East semifinals by the Queen’s Gaels, 41-14. With Carleton finishing 2-4 on the regular season, something had to give.
Carleton Ravens announced on January 12 that they had dismissed Steve Sumarah and that Paul Saint-Vilien would serve on an interim basis until the new head coach was appointed. The search is finally over, as, on March 18, it was announced that Corey Grant was hired as the 14th Head Coach in program history.
Corey Grant joins the Carleton Ravens with unique coaching experience as he spent six years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as their assistant offensive coordinator. His coaching success can be demonstrated by winning the Vanier Cup in 2011 with the McMaster Marauders – and we know how good that program is – as their wide receivers coach. He spent the last two seasons with the Marauders after leaving the program in 2012 as their offensive coordinator. The result was tremendous as the Marauders’ offence rose up the ranks and eventually won the Yates Cup in 2019 as the best team in the OUA.
In a statement put out by Carleton Athletics on March 18, Grant said, “I’m very excited to be joining the Carleton Ravens family and the Ottawa community.”
“I’m honoured to have the opportunity to learn about what it means to be a Raven and work with the student-athletes, coaches, alumni, Ottawa community, greater members of the university and the Department Recreation and Athletics to continue to grow the Carleton Ravens football program.”
His coaching legacy so far is nothing short of amazing, but he has also had success on the field. Drafted 7th overall in the 1999 CFL draft, he won his first of 2 Grey Cups later that season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with the other one coming in 2007 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He earned the 1999 Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year award after posting 56 catches for 875 yards and three touchdowns.
This is an excellent hire for the Carleton Ravens football program, which is hoping to rebound next season.
Cover Photo: Valerie Wutti/Carleton Athletics