After Jacques Dussault and Glen Constantin, another Quebec coach will be looking to distinguish himself in the NCAA.

Samuel Richard has just accepted an offer from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, to become a special teams coordinator for the Red Leafs, the only Canadian team playing Division II in the United States of the NCAA.

However, the 28-year-old was the first Quebec coach to coordinate a session in the NCAA. Jacques Dussault was a 1979 defensive line coach at Albany State University while Glen Constantin was a graduate linebacking coach at the University of Houston in 1995.

“As a company, it’s impressive,” admitted Richard. They were very successful and influenced many people. It makes me proud to be associated with these big names in Quebec football, but I haven’t proven anything yet. I am very young in my career. I want to reach their level. It’s my dream and if your dream isn’t scary, it’s not big enough. What is certain is that there will be pressure.

Like Constantin, Richard began his coaching career with the Bishop’s Gaiters. After three seasons as a fullback at that university, in 2018 his coach Chérif Nicolas invited him to join the coaching staff as an assistant coordinator and linebacker coach for two seasons, a part-time job.

work your way up

A former Gaiters colleague, Jerome Erdman, the Red Leafs’ defensive coordinator, contacted him in January to tell him about the opportunity at Simon Fraser University. Richard seized the opportunity.

“You have to think about it, that’s for sure,” he said. Jerome made it easy. He had a place for me to stay when I arrived. That scared me, I only had a 16 kg suitcase with me. […] It is certain that my passage to Bishop’s in English will help me. I don’t come empty-handed. It’s not the same football as Canada because there are 11 players on the field, but I have all my tools. It was a good time for my career. Sometimes you have to start.”

“I want to lead at the highest possible level in my life,” added the lead prospect. Does that mean NFL or Division I? I don’t know. I want to keep climbing the ladder.”

Richard credits his rapid rise to his dedication. He never counted his hours. Additionally, Fabrice Raymond, a former coach with the Gaiters, isn’t surprised by his former colleague’s progress.

“He’s a great listener and is always trying to make himself useful to meet needs,” explained Fabrice Raymond. That’s a great quality for a young coach. […] His challenge will be to make connections.”

“I think it will continue [à bien aller] for him, he continued. He’s a guy who works so well and works so hard. People will be impressed. It’ll make another coach want Sam with them all the time.”