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Ottawa Redblacks hire Noel Thorpe as defensive co-ordinator

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks have appointed Noel Thorpe as defensive co-ordinator. the team announced Monday.

Thorpe spent the last five seasons as the Montreal Alouettes' defensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach before being fired, along with head coach Jacques Chapdelaine, 11 games into the 2017 season.

The Vancouver native broke into the CFL with the Alouettes in 2002 as a special teams co-ordinator after spending five years with the UBC Thunderbirds, helping them to a Vanier Cup in 1997. Montreal won the Grey Cup in his first season with the club.

Thorpe has also coached with the Edmonton Eskimos and the University of Montreal.

"We are thrilled to add Noel to our coach staff," Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell said in a statement. "He has a proven track record of building first-rate defences in the CFL. We are always looking to add first-rate coaches and players to strengthen our team and Noel fits the bill."

Thorpe will replace Mark Nelson, whom is expected to remain with the club in another capacity.

A year after winning the Grey Cup, Ottawa missed the playoffs in 2017 with an 8-9-1 record. Ottawa's defence allowed the third fewest points in the league (452) this season, was middle of the pack with 31 sacks and ranked second last with 11 interceptions and last with six forced fumbles.

The Canadian Press


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