Team Canada has unveiled its coaches for the 2024 IFAF World Junior Championships in Edmonton, adding two current U Sports head coaches to Warren Craney’s staff.
Marco Iadeluca, who is fresh off a Vanier Cup victory in 2023 as the leader of the Montreal Carabins, will serve as offensive coordinator for the tournament, continuing a long-standing association with Football Canada which includes a prior head coaching stint at the 2017 International Bowl. Fellow RSEQ head coach Brad Collinson of the Concordia Stingers is also on board as offensive line coach, bringing a wealth of Team Canada and Team Quebec experience.
Three U Sports coordinators will also be on hand, with Mount Allison defensive coordinator Zak Colangelo handling special teams and the linebackers group. Calgary Dinos offensive coordinator Jabari Arthur will be in charge of the receivers, while McGill offensive coordinator Alex Vertullo will deal with the running backs.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Arthur played eight years in the CFL, winning two Grey Cups with the Calgary Stampeders. He is one of two former professionals named to the staff, as former first-overall CFL draft pick and current UBC recruiting coordinator Shomari Williams will share his expertise with the defensive line.
Rounding out the group is defensive backs coach Cody Halseth, who works for the University of Saskatchewan, and defensive assistant Gladymir Charmant, who holds the title of defensive front coordinator at Concordia.
The U20 World Junior Championship will take place in Edmonton from June 20 to 30, with teams from the United States, Japan, Austria, Australia, Panama, and Brazil confirmed to participate. An eighth spot is currently being held by a second Canadian team after qualifiers from Sweden and Mexico backed out of the event, though it remains unclear how that team will be organized.
Canada has won the previous two World Junior Championships, capturing gold in Mexico in 2018 and China in 2016. They have a chance to become the first nation to win three straight events on home soil.
