Former CFL defensive back Mike Edem hired as position coach at University of Calgary

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

Longtime CFL defensive back Mike Edem has been hired as the defensive backs coach at the University of Calgary.

The 34-year-old played professionally for 10 years as a member of the Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, B.C. Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was selected with the third overall pick in the 2013 CFL Draft and was named an East Division all-star with Montreal in 2013 and a West Division all-star with Saskatchewan in 2019.

The six-foot-one, 200-pound defender started his collegiate career at McGill University before transferring to the University of Calgary where he played two seasons with the Dinos. He started at halfback in 2011 before moving to linebacker in 2012, where he was named the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year and a Canada West all-star.

The Dinos revamped their coaching staff under new head coach Ryan Sheahan, who was hired from the University of Guelph in December following the retirement of Wayne Harris.

“My vision is to surround our student-athletes with the best possible people, and I think this staff really embodies that sentiment,” said Sheahan, who will also serve as offensive coordinator, in a statement.

“We’ve got former Dinos, former professional football players, high-level university, CFL and even NFL-experienced individuals who all have an area of expertise that I think our team is going to benefit from. Most importantly, these are good men. They’re family-oriented people who are good teachers, which is important for me to provide our student-athletes with that kind of environment.”

The rest of Calgary’s coaching staff includes Ben D’Andrea as defensive coordinator, Chris Anstey as recruiting director and defensive line coach, Jabari Arthur as receivers coach, Taylor Altilio as special teams coordinator, Nathan Mollard as operations manager and linebackers coach, Pat Sheahan as offensive line coach, Gino DiVincentis as running backs coach, Adam Blasetti as halfbacks and tight ends coach, Dallas Boath as receivers assistant, Jimmy Underdahl as quarterbacks coach, Aldo Laratta as offensive line assistant, J.T. Hay as kickers coach, Cory Robinson as defensive line assistant, Treshaun Abrahams-Webster as defensive backs coach, and Elie Bouka and strength and conditioning coordinator.

The Dinos have missed the Canada West playoffs in each of the past three seasons, posting a combined regular season record of 6-16.