Luck of the Irish: Riders sign former Notre Dame QB Jack Coan

Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American quarterback Jack Coan to their training camp roster.

The six-foot-three, 220-pound passer is best known for his time at the University of Notre Dame, starting 13 games for the team in 2021. He completed 253-of-386 pass attempts (65.5 percent) for 3,150 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the Fighting Irish to an 11-2 record. He ended his collegiate career with a record-setting performance in the Fiesta Bowl, throwing for 509 yards and five touchdowns in a loss to Oklahoma State.

Prior to his time in South Bend, Coan attended the University of Wisconsin and appeared in 25 games, starting 18. He threw for 3,278 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions over that span, earning All-Big Ten honourable mention status in 2019. He would suffer a foot injury in training camp the following season, effectively ending his time with the Badgers.

Coan went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft but was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent. He was waived following training camp and signed with the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas. In eight games, the 25-year-old signal-caller connected on 150-of-242 pass attempts (62 percent) for 1,403 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.

The Riders will open their 2024 regular season on Saturday, June 8 when they visit the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium.