The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have unveiled their completed coaching staff for the 2024 season, including the addition of veteran special teams coordinator Paul Boudreau.
Boudreau had spent the past seven seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, dating back to 2017. He has helped the team reach the past four consecutive Grey Cups, winning two during his tenure, but was not retained this offseason to make room on the coaching staff for retiring fullback Mike Miller.
The Bombers finished second in average kickoff yardage (65.9) and third in field goal percentage (90.2) in 2023 but were in the bottom tier of most other special-teams categories, including seventh in gross punting average (46.2), eighth in net punting (35.2), eighth in average kickoff return yards (20) and sixth in average punt return yardage (11.1).
Prior to his time in Winnipeg, Boudreau spent 16 years at the NCAA level with Northeastern, Cincinnati, Brown, Widener, Central Connecticut State, and Fitchburg State. He also had a four-year stint with the St. Louis Rams.
Boudreau will replace Jeff Reinebold, who left the team for a permanent position at the University of Hawaii this offseason.
Also joining the staff are four other coaches with experience from across the league, including veteran defensive line coach Glen Young, defensive backs coach Brandon Isaac, linebackers coach Michael Fletcher, and receivers coach Naaman Roosevelt. Offensive quality control coach Myer Spitulnik heads north of the border for the first time while assistant video coordinator Alex Penz also earns the title of special teams assistant.
Head coach Scott Milanovich will roll over the three remaining members of his staff from 2023, keeping defensive coordinator Mark Washington and offensive line coach Mike Gibson in their respective positions. Jarryd Baines will now serve as quarterbacks coach after working with receivers last season.
“I’m pleased to announce our coaching staff for the 2024 season and welcome Paul Boudreau, Glen Young, Brandon Isaac, Michael Fletcher, Naaman Roosevelt, Myer Spitulnik and their families to the Tiger-Cats organization and the city of Hamilton,” Milanovich said in a team statement. “This blend of new hires and returning coaches will provide a diverse range of leadership, fresh ideas, strong work ethics and a great deal of energy.”
“In addition, I wish all the best for Jeff Reinebold, Robin Ross, Randy Melvin, Tim Smith, Rob Payne, Matt Tolliver and Charlie Taggart and thank them for their contributions to the organization.”
Young last served as the defensive coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 and spent four previous seasons coaching linebackers and defensive linemen with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Scarborough, Ont. native was originally selected in the third round of the 1992 CFL Draft by the Ticats but never played for the organization, enjoying a 13-year career as a linebacker with the Los Angeles Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes, and Edmonton Football Team.
Isaac played eight seasons as a defensive back in the CFL, playing for the Stampeders, Argonauts, Tiger-Cats and Roughriders. He has spent the past two seasons coaching the position for the Edmonton Elks but now rejoins his former head coach from Toronto in Hamilton.
Fletcher played nine seasons in the CFL with the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts, earning all-star star status in 2005. The two-time Grey Cup champion has since been trying his hand at coaching the collegiate level, spending the last three seasons as a defensive analyst at Arizona State.
Roosevelt played 12 professional seasons split between the NFL and CFL, enjoying stints with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions before coming north in 2015. He went on to be a successful receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Montreal Alouettes, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, earning a West all-star selection in 2017. He broke into coaching in 2023 as an offensive assistant in Saskatchewan.
Spitulnik joins the Ticats staff after spending the previous season as a coach at Hilbert College. He also worked as the running backs coach and film coordinator at True North Classical Academy in Miami, Fla. He is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he spent four seasons working on its football team’s film and video staff.
After spending last season as the club’s assistant video coordinator, Penz now joins the coaching staff. The Milton, Ont. native studied sport management at Brock University and has coaching experience with the Guelph Jr. Gryphons, Burlington Stampeders and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary.
The Ticats will begin their 2024 season on Friday, June 7 when they visit the Calgary Stampeders.
