Taylor takes over as Gee-Gees Special Teams & Recruiting Coordinator

Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees Sports Information

The Gee-Gees football team has reached a two-year agreement with former Concordia Stingers MVP Nathan Taylor to bring the Montreal native to the Garnet and Grey as full time Special Teams Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator.

Taylor completed his five-year CIS career at Concordia in 2012, having spent seasons at corner and safety. After being signed as a free agent by the Montreal Alouettes prior to the 2013 season he returned to the Stingers as a defensive backs coach.

“I was a little wary at first, and I wasn’t sure that I could do it,” says the newest Gee-Gee about his transition from player to coach. “After the first day I knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Taylor was on the coaching staff for the 2015 East West Bowl and recently was a guest coach with the Vanier College Cheetahs spring camp.

Head coach Jamie Barresi is happy to have the amiable Taylor take on both the Special Teams unit and the team’s recruiting coordination.  “He is a good student of the game and I believe he is someone who the players will respond to,” says Barresi. “He can get in front of people and have their respect and he will be a huge asset to our recruiting.”

For his part, Taylor is looking forward to the chance to build from within the Gee-Gees current strengths. “I thought it was a great opportunity and the team is going in the right direction. Jamie is a wealth of knowledge. He has a pro mentality which transfers into how the team carries itself. There’s not may CIS teams that have coaches with that level of experience.”

“J-V as well has pro experience,” continued Taylor, referring to defensive coordinator Jean-Vincent Posy-Audette. “With those two guys in place the team is in a situation where they are ready to make that leap to the next level.”

On the field Taylor will have a chance to get started immediately as the Gee-Gees run three spring practices this week, Thursday through Saturday. “The biggest thing will be getting familiar with the players. I want to build relationships with the players and make them understand that I’m there for them. We’re here to develop players as much as possible and put them in positions to have success.”

NOTE: Saturday’s practice from 8-11 a.m. is open to the public and will feature a post-practice BBQ and meet and greet with the three Gee-Gees alumni who are currently on the Ottawa RedBlacks roster. Parking is free in Lees Campus Lots G1, G2, G3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.