DesLauriers joins SFU coaching staff

Burnaby, B.C. – The Simon Fraser University Clan football team announced Monday the formal hiring of Laurent “Lou” DesLauriers to the coaching staff. DesLauriers will be the team’s full-time defensive coordinator. “To be able to add a coach of Lou’s caliber to our staff is simply outstanding,” says SFU head football coach Dave Johnson. “Lou’s experience as both a head coach and player is invaluable, we are very fortunate to have him join our program, as he will be able to put our players in a better position to win football games.” DesLauriers served as UBC’s head football coach from 2002-2005, reaching the Canada West playoffs in his final two seasons. Prior to coaching at UBC, DesLauriers was the co-head coach at St. Thomas More from 1998-2002, winning the AAA Provincial Championships in 1999 and 2000, and compiling a 45-4 record during his five-year tenure. Most recently DesLauriers was the assistant coach for defence on Team Canada at the 2006 NFL Global Junior Championships X, going undefeated at the tournament and winning the championship. This past year DesLauriers also served as a guest coach with Western Washington, working with the linebackers over a six-week period. As a player in the CFL, DesLauriers’ career spanned four seasons; three with the Edmonton Eskimos (1984-1987) and one with the Toronto Argonauts (1988), before a knee injury forced DesLauriers into retirement. As a player, DesLauriers was a nominee for the CFL’s Outstanding Canadian award in 1984, was a team captain on the Eskimos in 1986. DesLauriers is the first addition to Dave Johnson’s staff. Johnson was announced as the Clan’s new head football coach on February 5, 2007, replacing Frank Boehres.