(Crédit : James Hajjar)
Montreal, February 11, 2020 – Marco Iadeluca is back on the Université de Montréal campus to become the fourth head coach of the Carabins since the football team’s relaunch in 2002. Assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and supervisor of Les Bleus academically from 2011 to 2018, Iadeluca is one of the most experienced coaches in Quebec with 25 years’ experience and a number of major championships under his belt.
His record includes two Vanier Cups, one in 2014 with the Carabins, and one with the Rouge et Or in 2010, during his only season at Université Laval, as offensive coordinator.
Iadeluca replaces his good friend and former colleague, Danny Maciocia, who was recently appointed general manager of the Montreal Alouettes after nine seasons leading the Carabins.
An obvious choice and a unique opportunity
“For many reasons, Marco is the exact person we were looking for to ensure the continuity and evolution of our football team,” said Manon Simard, director of Varsity Sports Program at UdeM. “His knowledge of our organization, his leadership skills, and his extensive experience made him the candidate of choice. Whenever our team had its greatest successes, he was there. He won the Vanier Cup at two different universities, a rare feat indeed. We’re very proud that he’s taking over the team and confident that he’ll excel in this new challenge.”
“It’s an incredible feeling coming back to the Carabins. It’s like coming home for me,” Iadeluca said. “It’s a real privilege to be associated with such a renowned sports program and football team. The Université de Montréal is a world-class organization when it comes to developing student-athletes, with its outstanding training programs, staff, stadium, and fans.”
“I’ve learned a lot in working most of my career with two great, but very different, head coaches, Danny (Maciocia) and my brother Tony (Iadeluca). This is an exceptional opportunity for me to bring this wealth of experience to the Carabins while adding my own particular style and vision to the mix.”
“I’ve enjoyed different roles over the years, including head coach with Team Canada and Team Quebec. When I left UdeM two years ago, it was to pick up other skill sets. I feel I’m now ready to lead the Carabins as the next step in my career.”
“I’d also like to thank my colleagues at Collège André-Grasset where I had the opportunity to grow and have a lot of fun over the past few years. Their organization is one that will always be special to me.”
A career path devoted to helping young student-athletes
Well-known for his student-athlete coaching ability, Iadeluca has also been involved with Team Canada and Team Quebec, and with great success, since 2000. He was athletic manager, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Collège André-Grasset Phénix since 2018, the same year the team won the Bol d’Or. From 1994 to 1998, he was coach with the St-Léonard Cougars organization, before his first stint at André-Grasset in 2009.
“I’ve always loved working with young people on their career and life paths. It’s a job that means so much to me, especially when I can play a key role in helping them make the right decision,” he said. Iadeluca and his wife, Lina, are the proud parents of three daughters, age 12, 14, and 16. “Of course, we all want to win games and championships, but I’m well aware that my responsibility goes way beyond football.”
“In addition to his football expertise, Marco has a diverse background where education has always been at the core of his concerns,” Manon Simard said. “His role as a college sports manager over the past two years also gives him a unique perspective on guiding young people who want to combine football with their university studies.”
What’s next?
Iadeluca will be very busy over the next few days as he sets up his coaching staff and wraps up the recruitment process.
“We’ve already got a very good plan in place and I need to take the time to meet with the people on the ground. I’m confident we’ll be able to announce more good news for our football team in the near term.
“I know most of the players on the team, having helped recruit many of them, but there are still some very good players who haven’t yet decided on their university. It’s one of my priorities to convince them to pick the Carabins,” Iadeluca said.
The football coach career of Marco Iadeluca in brief :
- 2018-2020 : Sports manager, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the André-Grasset College Phénix.
- 2018 : Bol d’or champion
- 2013 : Guest coach at the Toronto Argonauts training camp
- 2011-2018 : Assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and responsible for the academic supervision for the University of Montreal Carabins.
- Vanier Cup champion
- 2010 : Guest coach at the Edmonton Eskimos training camp.
- 2010 : Offensive coordinator for the Laval Rouge et Or.
- 2010 : Vanier Cup champion
- 2009 : Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the André-Grasset College Phénix.
- 1999-2000 : Guest coach at the Montreal Alouettes training camp.
- 1998-2008 : Offensive coordinator for the St-Léonard Cougars (Junior, CJFL).
- 1994-1997 : Offensive coordinator for the St-Léonard Cougars (Midget AAA).
Provincial and national implications :
Team Canada :
- Head coach – International Bowl 2017
- Offensive coordinator – International Bowl 2019
- Offensive coordinator – Junior world cup 2020
- Different functions varying from position coach to offensive coordinator – 2000 to 2009
- Champion NFL Global Jr Championship 2000, 2005 and 2006
Team Quebec :
- Head coach – 2016 to 2018
- Canada Cup Champion – 2016 to 2017
- Offensive coordinator and Canada Cup champion – 2006
Source: Université de Montréal Carabins
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