The B.C. Lions have hired John Bowman as the team’s new defensive line coach. This is his first professional coaching role following an outstanding 14-year career as a player with the Montreal Alouettes.
“John will be a great addition to our staff as we continue the steps toward building for 2022 and beyond,” said Lions co-GM and head coach Rick Campbell in a press release.
“With Ryan Phillips leading the unit and Travis Brown doing a solid job with our linebackers last season, our defensive room will be set up for more success this coming season.”
Truly grateful for this opportunity to join the @BCLions, looking forward to help develop these young guys and work w/ some great coaches. https://t.co/mcGZfb54vu
— John N. Bowman (@7Bowman) January 17, 2022
Bowman first broke in as a defensive lineman with the Alouettes in 2006 and would go on to play 234 games regular season games with the organization.
A two-time CFL all-star and nine-time East Division all-star selection, Bowman is the Alouettes’ all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 134 and is sixth on the all-time CFL list. He also won Grey Cup rings with the Alouettes in 2009 and 2010.
The 39-year-old played his final CFL season in 2019 and formally retired in 2021 when he was honoured by the Als. He is the all-time sacks leader for Montreal with 134, which is also good for sixth all-time league-wide.
Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee Leroy Blugh was slated to serve as B.C.’s defensive line coach in 2021 but was forced to leave the team in July to attend to personal and health matters. The club hired former CFL defensive tackle Claudell Louis to replace him for the 2021 season.