York Lions head coach Warren Craney selects Junior National Team coaching staff

Football Canada is proud to announce its Junior National Team coaching staff which will guide Canada at the 2016 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U-19 World Championship in addition to the 2014 and 2015 International Bowls.

Warren Craney returns for his second term as Junior National Team head coach after leading Canada to silver at the 2014 IFAF U-19 World Championship in Kuwait.

In addition to Craney, the coaching staff returns three as Brian Guebert (special teams coordinator / defensive line) and Kamau Peterson (receivers) return for their third respective U-19 World Championships while Kevin MacNeill (defensive coordinator) returns for his second worlds, inheriting the defensive coordinator role from Craney. Accompanied by the three returnees are Joe D'Amore (offensive coordinator), Christopher Auger (quarterbacks), Danny Desriveaux (running backs), Jean-François Joncas (offensive line), and Jeff Yausie (linebackers).

"The coaching staff we've assembled includes some of the top coaches in Canada," head coach, Warren Craney said. "Returning three assistant coaches from 2014, including Brian and Kamau with two previous world championships under their belts are huge assets to the team."

"With a coaching staff now in place, we will turn our attention to preparing for the 2014 International Bowl and work towards the 2016 world championship."

Craney believes that the annual International Bowl series in late January or early February between Canada and the US will help acclimatize the team to international play.

"The International Bowl will be a great opportunity for the new staff to get used to working together and familiarize themselves with the US style of play and the differences in rules. I feel international play is very important for the Junior National Team program leading up to the 2016 World Championship and gives the opportunity for a greater number of kids to represent their country."

Coaching staff biographies

Warren Craney, head coach and defensive backs – York University

Warren Craney returns for his second term as Junior National Team head coach after leading Canada to silver at the 2014 IFAF U-19 World Championship in Kuwait.

The program's third head coach, Craney is a veteran of international football having served as defensive coordinator under head coach Noel Thorpe on Canada's gold medal winning entry at the 2012 IFAF U-19 World Championship. He served the same role under Glen Constantin at the inaugural event in 2009 as well as the 2007 NFL Global Juniors. Coach Craney has also been involved with the IFAF World Team since its inception in 2010. The three-time World Team defensive coordinator (2010-2012) most recently served as defensive backs coach in 2013.

Craney joined the York University Lions in 2010 as the ninth head (football) coach in school history.

Prior to York, he spent seven seasons at Concordia University as defensive coordinator and the three before as defensive line coach.

A native of Montreal, Craney joined Concordia's coaching staff after a three-year stint as defensive coordinator at Vanier College.

Joe D'Amore, offensive coordinator – University of Windsor

Joe D'Amore is currently head coach of the University of Windsor Lancers and will serve as Junior National Team offensive coordinator the same role he served with Canada's under-18 team at the 2014 International Bowl. D'Amore has led the Lancers to the playoffs his first four seasons as head coach, earning the Tuffy Knight award as OUA Coach of the Year in 2011. Prior to joining the Lancers in 2011, Joe served as offensive coordinator of the Essex Ravens since 2007.

Kevin MacNeill, defensive coordinator – University of Guelph

Returning from the 2014 staff is Kevin MacNeill who will assume the defensive coordinator duties from Craney. This past (2014) season was MacNeill's fifth as Guelph Gryphons defensive coordinator. Prior to Guelph, he spent two seasons as UBC special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. Kevin began his coaching career at his alma mater, Wilfrid Laurier University from 2004-2007 as linebackers and special teams coach. His stint with Laurier included the Golden Hawks 2005 Vanier Cup winning season.

Christopher Auger, quarterbacks – Laval University

Christopher Auger previously served as Junior National Team video coordinator in 2014 and will coach Canada's quarterbacks this time around, the same role he's served with Laval University since 2011. Auger has also coached multiple roles with Saint-Jean-Eudes including Junior Varsity (atome, cadet) head coach (2007, 2010) as well as a quarterbacks and receivers coach with the Varsity (juvénile) team.

Danny Desriveaux, running backs – University of Montréal

Danny Desriveaux played six seasons in the CFL with Montreal and Toronto, winning the Grey Cup three times. Following his retirement, he joined the Carabins for the 2013 season and currently serves as special teams coordinator and receivers coach. A Vanier College alumnus, Danny went on to play in the NCCA with the University of Connecticut followed by the University of Richmond.

Brian Guebert, special teams coordinator and defensive line – University of Saskatchewan

Brian Guebert is currently special teams coordinator at his alma mater, the University of Saskatchewan. He's experienced life wearing the maple leaf as a player, representing Canada at the 2011 Senior Men's World Championship in Austria in addition to twice more as a coach at the 2012 and 2014 U-19 World Championships. Formerly Football Saskatchewan's High Performance Director, Brian played two seasons in CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and is also an alumnus of the CJFL's Saskatoon Hilltops.

Jean-François Joncas, offensive line – Cégep Champlain College Lennoxville

Canada's offensive line will be in good hands with long-time CEGEP Champlain-Lennoxville head coach Jean-François Joncas. Joncas who won two Vanier Cups as a centre with Laval from 1999 – 2003, is one of the top offensive line gurus in Canada. Some of the players he's helped mentor with the Champlain Cougars include Philip Blake (Baylor/Denver Broncos), Dillon Guy (Buffalo, NCAA), and Charles Vaillancourt (Laval). Joncas has also served as an assistant coach with Team Quebec in the under-17 division of the Football Canada Cup from 2007 through 2009.

Kamau Peterson, receivers coach – York University

Kamau Peterson brings 11 years of CFL playing experience to Team Canada for his third stint as the national team's receivers coach. A three time CFL all-star, Grey Cup champion and the CFL's 2008 Most Outstanding Canadian, Peterson was selected by the Calgary Stampeders in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2001 CFL draft out of the University of New Hampshire. Kamau previously served as a guest coach with the York Lions prior to joining the coaching staff mid-way through the 2014 season.

Jeff Yausie, linebackers – Saskatoon Hilltops (CJFL)

For long-time Saskatoon Hilltops defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Jeff Yausie, 2016 will not mark his first Team Canada coaching experience. He's previously served as Canada's Senior Women's National Team head coach at the 2013 Women's World Championship, currently serving the same role with the Saskatoon Valkryies, four time champion of the Western Women's Canadian Football League. The former CFL safety has helped the Hilltops to seven Canadian Bowl (national championship) victories during his 13 year tenure.

Source: Football Canada