Head Coach - Steve Sumarah
After a nationwide search, Carleton University was pleased to announce that Steve Sumarah has been named the 13th head coach of the Ravens varsity football program. Sumarah, who has been coaching in the AUS for the past 17 years, comes to Carleton after spending the last six seasons as head coach of the Saint Mary’s University Huskies. During that time, he boasted an overall regular season record of 35-12, an impressive 0.745 win percentage
He led the team to four consecutive AUS titles (2007-2010), a Uteck Bowl championship and a trip to the Vanier Cup (2007), and was named the AUS coach of the year three times along the way (2007-09).
After leading the Huskies to their third straight conference championship in 2009, Sumarah became the third SMU coach to receive the Frank Tindall Trophy as CIS football coach of the year.
“I am extremely proud and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Ravens football program into its new era,” said Sumarah. “Carleton University, the Old Crows and I share the same vision for the program – that Ravens football will be a championship quality team that provides its student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic opportunities, while fostering the principles of good citizenship and lifelong learning.”
Before he became head coach of the Huskies program, Sumarah was the offensive coordinator at SMU from 1998-2005. He helped the team earn a record of six consecutive AUS titles (1999-2004), four Vanier Cup berths (1999, 2001-03) and win two national championships (2001-02).
Along with coaching at SMU, Sumarah acted as the quarterback and receiver coach with the Canadian senior men’s team that captured a silver medal at the 2011 IFAF World Championship.
Sumarah has also coached at St. Francis Xavier University and at five CFL camps. He has worked tirelessly as an instructor at a number of summer football camps in the United States and Canada over the years.
About Coach Sumarah
CIS Head Coaching Career
Year Team Record
2006 Saint Mary’s 3 -4 2nd in AUS
2007 Saint Mary’s 7 -1 1st in AUS
2008 Saint Mary’s 7 -1 1st in AUS
2009 Saint Mary’s 7-1 1st in AUS
2010 Saint Mary’s 5- 3 1st in AUS
2011 Saint Mary’s 6- 2 2nd in AUS
Honors & Awards
CIS Coach of the Year 2009
AUS Coach of the Year 2007-09
AUS Volunteer Coach of the Year 2000
Football Nova Scotia Coach of the Year 1999
Education
Master of Education, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS
Curriculum and Administration, CIAU Academic All-Canadian
Bachelor of Science, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS Physical Education
Offensive Coordinator - Jean-Philippe Asselin
Previously, Asselin was the head coach of the Ottawa Gee-Gees for the 2010 and 2011 seasons and their assistant offensive coordinator from 2008 to 2009. During that time, he boasted an overall regular season record of 12-4 and made the Yates Cup in 2010.
“I am extremely excited that our program was able to attract a coach of JP’s ability and knowledge,” said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah. “He knows what it is like to be a leader of a winning program, and to do that in Ottawa is fantastic.”
“JP is a proven recruiter, not only in the Ottawa area, but also across Canada,” Sumarah added. “His addition, along with the beginning of construction of a brand new locker-room and the exciting new stadium upgrades, are key facets in building the program.”
“I am very excited to be part of such a promising football program and I am looking forward to working with coach Sumarah,” Asselin said.
Coaching Experience:
2010-2012: Head Coach, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Finished 1st in OUA with a 7-1 record in 2010
Finished 4th in OUA with a 5-3 record in 2011
2008-2009: Full-Time Assistant Coach, Co Offensive Coordinator, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
2007: Receivers Coach, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
Chris Coulson – Offensive Line Coach
Coached 10 seasons with the Gee-Gees, seven as offensive coordinator. A teacher at Brookfield High School in Ottawa, Coulson was offensive coordinator for Team Ontario East U17 team (Football Canada Cup) from 2006 to 2009. Under his watch, the provincial team earned a medal each year culminating in a national championship in 2009.
Born in Belleville, Ont., and listing Thomasburg, Ont., as his hometown, the Acadia University graduate (1998 Kinesiology/Education) was an Axemen captain for two of his five seasons (1994-98) where he played on the offensive line. Coulson has also spent time as a guest coach with the Ottawa Renegades and Buffalo Bills.
