Danny Maciocia leaving Montreal Carabins for CFL

Crédit : James Hajjar

Montreal, January 13, 2020 – Following the announcement by the Montreal Alouettes regarding the hiring of Danny Maciocia as the team’s new general manager, the University of Montreal Carabins are looking to the future and wish a lot of success to the one who has propelled football training among the best in the country.

“This is a great step in Danny’s career,” said Manon Simard, director of excellence sport for the Carabins, without hesitation. We are very happy for him that he gets the chance to achieve great things for Montreal and Quebec. ”

“I am convinced that the Alouettes will come out on top. We wish him much success and great emotions. ”

Despite the fact that he will no longer be the head coach of the team, Danny will still remain close to the organization, while he will act as ambassador for the football program.

“It was agreed that the strength of the mountain would continue and the special bond that unites Danny to the organization will remain.”

“Danny has made a remarkable contribution to the development of the football program, but his contribution goes beyond that. The whole organization has benefited and it has had a positive impact on everyone he has worked with. It has given the Blues a much bigger influence than one could have imagined! ”

“It was not an easy choice to make, the Carabins are my family,” said the main stakeholder. But today at the age of 52, to the point where I am in my life, I can say “mission accomplished” with the University of Montreal and the Carabins. I have built relationships over the past nine years with colleagues who have become friends. Several individuals have contributed to our success, and I am proud of all the work that has been accomplished. I am leaving behind one of the best programs in the country. ”

“It is difficult to leave the Carabin family, but it is a very nice challenge ahead of me. I’m living my dream. ”

A new chapter begins

The process to find the fourth head coach in the history of the program since its revival in 2002 is therefore underway.

The offensive line coach and academic supervisor Mathieu Pronovost will act as the interim head coach until the selection of the official replacement.

The latter wore the colors of the Carabins from 2003 to 2004 as a ball carrier and already held the position of offensive coordinator of the Vert & Or from 2014 to 2016.

“We currently have a team of assistant coaches that we are very proud of. In order to ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of our standards of excellence, we will have a quick process to clarify the following. ”

All assistant coaches and position coaches remain on the job and continue their preparation for the next season.

A successful passage

It was on November 16, 2010 that Danny officially joined the Blues as head coach.

In nine seasons at the helm, the St-Leonard native has an impressive 57 wins against just 16 losses. In the playoffs, he added 15 wins and eight losses to his record.

Without a doubt, the most memorable moment of his time at UdeM was the conquest of the Vanier Cup in 2014.

He also led his troop to the final match of Canadian university football in 2015, and more recently last November.

His second appearance with the Alouettes has also led his family to three Dunsmore Cup titles, in addition to winning the honor of head coach of the year in Quebec in 2016.

“Danny accepted the Carabins project in 2010, at a time when we needed to consolidate our program. We agreed that he would stay with us for a few years. If I had been told it would be 10 years, I would not have believed it, “adds Manon Simard.

“I think as an institution we are fortunate to have been able to spend the past decade with him. The Carabins have grown exceptionally under his leadership. ”

An impressive total of 24 players who progressed under his command were later drafted into the Canadian League or managed to carve out a place in a formation.

Offensive lineman David Foucault who played with the Carabins from 2010 to 2013 even reached the NFL ranks while wearing the colors of the Carolina Panthers.

Danny Maciocia’s career in brief:

• 2010 – 2019 Head Coach – Carabins of the University of Montreal
  Vanier Cup conquest in 2014
• 2010 Offensive Coordinator – Phoenix of André-Grasset College
  Conquest of the AA Division 2 Collegial Bol d’Or
• 2009 General Manager and Director of Football Operations – Edmonton Eskimos
• 2007 Head Coach and Director of Football Operations – Edmonton Eskimos
• 2005-2008 Head Coach – Edmonton Eskimos
  Conquest of the Gray Cup (2005)
• 2004-2006 Head Coach – Team Canada U19
  Conquest of the world junior championship (2005 and 2006)
• 2002-2004 Offensive Coordinator – Edmonton Eskimos
  Conquest of the Gray Cup (2003)
  Gray Cup Finalist (2002)
• 2001 Offensive Coordinator – Montreal Alouettes
• 2000 Assistant Offensive Coordinator – Montreal Alouettes
• 1998-1999 Head Coach – Bergamo Lions (1st Division, Italy)
  Conquest of the Italian Super Bowl (1998 and 1999)
• 1997-1999 Ball carrier coach – Montreal Alouettes
• 1996 Coach responsible for the quality of play – Montreal Alouettes
• 1995 Offensive Coordinator – Quebec Team 19 and under
  Conquest of the national championship
• 1995 Head Coach – Cougars de St-Léonard (CFJL)
• 1994 Offensive Coordinator – Cougars de St-Léonard (CFJL)
  Conquest of the Eastern Canada Championship
• 1993 Coach of the ball carriers – Team Quebec 19 years old and under
  Conquest of the national championship

With files from: Renaud Dupré St-Lauren, Montreal Carabins