The University of Calgary has named Ryan Sheahan as the team’s new head football coach, tearing him away from his post at the University of Guelph.
Sheahan had been the head coach of the Gryphons for five years, including the cancelled 2020 season. He began his time with the team with a 6-2 regular season in 2019 and twice qualified for the postseason but has not posted a winning record in any of his last three campaigns. Guelph went 3-5 in 2023, dropping his all-time win-loss record to 15-19.
“We want to thank Ryan for his significant contributions at U of G as the head coach of our football team and wish him well in his next chapter,” Guelph director of athletics Scott McRoberts said in a statement. “We appreciate his time and efforts towards guiding this team through the past five years including through a very difficult time during the pandemic.”
The native of Montreal, Que. previously spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the Dinos before taking over the top job at Guelph, helping the team to a pair of Hardy Cup victories and a Vanier Cup appearance in 2016. The Dinos averaged no less than 500 yards per game on offence and 36 points per game while losing just three regular-season games during his tenure, setting school records in points, total yards, passing yards, and touchdowns in 2015.
“My family and I are excited to return to Calgary and I am deeply honoured to be asked to lead such a prestigious program,” Sheahan said as part of the announcement. “Calgary is a place where football matters. I am thrilled to embrace the rich tradition that exists here, bring new ideas and build off previous experiences to return this program to a perennial national championship contender.”
Sheahan coached two Hec Crighton Trophy winners with the Dinos in quarterbacks Andrew Buckley and Adam Sinagra. Calgary had 11 All-Canadian selections on offence during his time with the program, while Guelph has had 10 overall in the past four seasons. He has coached 22 CFL Draft picks.
The son of long-time U Sports head coach Pat Sheahan, Ryan played quarterback under his dad at Queen’s University and later in Denmark before joining his alma mater as a quarterbacks coach in 2008. He had a brief foray as running backs coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2012 before returning to the Gaels as offensive coordinator, jumping to the Dinos in 2015.
“We are delighted to welcome Ryan back to the Dinos. He brings an outstanding track record of success as a coach and recruiter, and his future-focused approach makes him the ideal candidate to take this program forward. He connects extremely well with today’s athletes, and he is passionate about developing the whole person — as a player, student and future community leader,” Calgary athletic director Ben Matchett said in a statement.
“His experience and growth as a coach during his time at Guelph were evident throughout the process, and we look forward to welcoming Ryan and his family to Calgary as we launch an exciting new era of Dinos Football.”
Sheahan is the seventh head coach in Dinos’ history, following Wayne Harris Jr., who retired in November. The 64-year-old was 41-21 in his nine seasons at the helm. Calgary posted a 3-5 record in 2023.
