CALGARY – As football season officially gets underway for the University of Calgary Dinos with the start of spring camp, head coach Ryan Sheahan has announced his finalized coaching staff for the 2024 season.
Sheahan's complete staff includes four new additions to the program, as well as a number of returnees from recent years.
"My vision is to surround our student-athletes with the best possible people, and I think this staff really embodies that sentiment," Sheahan said. "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."
In addition to Sheahan running the offence and the recently appointed Ben D'Andrea calling the defence, Taylor Altilio returns to lead the Dinos special teams this season. The full-time members of the staff are rounded out by Chris Anstey, who will coach the defensive line and oversee recruiting, receivers coach
Jabari Arthur, and
Nathan Mollard, who will coach linebackers and manage program operations.
"The coordinators we have leading the way for us are all really high-energy people who care deeply about helping young people," Sheahan said. "They all bring years of experience to the table, and I have all the confidence in this being the right group of men to lead this year's team.
"This was such an important time for our program, the changes that we're making that taking our time to get all the pieces in place to move forward during this all-important chapter was crucial for me. I'm proud of the fact that we took our time, got it right, and had many conversations and phone calls and meetings to get the right people in the right place."
2024 University of Calgary Dinos Football Coaching Staff
Ben D'Andrea – Defensive Coordinator
A Calgary native, D'Andrea returns home after nine seasons coaching at Queen's University. He helped the Gaels defensive squad to be one of the best in all of U SPORTS over the past three seasons, headlined by a 2021 campaign that saw Queen's concede just three touchdowns in the regular season and averaged just 7.3 points per game against on the year – by far the top mark in the nation.
Chris Anstey – Recruiting Director / Defensive Line Coach
Anstey returns to the program, working with the defensive line as well as leading the Dinos recruiting. He was with the Dinos from 2015 through 2018 before returning to the program last year. He played football for the Manitoba Bisons for three seasons.
Jabari Arthur – Receivers Coach
The two-time Grey Cup champion with the Calgary Stampeders returns for his seventh season coaching the Dinos. The standout receiver spent time in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs before his eight years in the CFL. He has also earned opportunities coaching in the CFL during training camp in recent years.
Taylor Altilio – Special Teams Coordinator
Last season, Altilio was responsible for conditioning and the receivers coach, but will now be responsible for all the special teams in his seventh season with UCalgary – the same role he has previously served in the CFL. He was with the Dinos from 2010 through 2015 and rejoined the program last year. He previously worked with the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions.
Nathan Mollard – Operations Manager / Linebackers Coach
Mollard transitions this season from special teams to coaching the team's linebackers. He also continues his role as operations manager, supporting key initiatives such as Dinos prospect camps. Mollard joined the Dinos in 2019 after being with the Okanagan Sun of the British Columbia Junior Football Conference.
Pat Sheahan – Offensive Line Coach
A familiar face returns to the team to coach the offensive line. Sheahan's father, Pat, returns to the Dinos after a two-year absence. Pat Sheahan was the offensive coordinator for the 2019 national championship team. He spent three years with the Dinos before spending the past two years as O-line coach at the University of Guelph. In addition to winning the Vanier Cup in Calgary, Pat was the head coach of Queen's in 2009 when they were national champions and offensive coordinator for McGill in 1987 when they were the national title winners.
Gino DiVincentis – Running Backs Coach
DiVincentis is in his second stint coaching the Dinos, first working with the running backs from 2008-14 before returning to the Calgary sidelines in 2018. He has helped coach several former players who have gone on to strong professional careers at running back, headlined by Anthony Woodson (2008-11), Mercer Timmis (2012-15) and Jeshrun Antwi (2015-19). DiVincentis also coached in the CFL for two seasons in 2005-06 with the Stampeders.
Adam Blasetti – Halfbacks / Tight Ends Coach
Blasetti returns for his second season with the Dinos in 2024. After coaching the offensive line last year, the veteran coach will now transition to the tight ends for the coming year. Blasetti played for the Dinos from 2000-03 before joining the coaching ranks, working with a number of teams in the CFL and Canadian Junior Football before returning to his alma mater.
Dallas Boath – Receivers Assistant
A player for the Dinos from 2014-19, Boath racked up over 1700 total yards receiving to go with 16 touchdowns in his time in the Dinos uniform. After wrapping up his playing days with a Vanier Cup victory, Boath instantly joined the Calgary coaching staff and returns for his fifth season in 2024.
Jimmy Underdahl – Quarterbacks Coach
Former Dinos quarterback Jimmy Underdahl will serve as quarterback coach this coming year. Underdahl played for the Dinos from 2012 through 2016 and was a part of two Vanier Cup appearances. He previously coached with the Calgary Colts of Prairie Junior Football Conference.
Aldo Laratta – Offensive Line Assistant
A standout coach at the high school level in the city of Calgary, Laratta joined the Dinos staff and helped the program to its latest Vanier Cup win. He played a key role in the development of star alumni such as Peter Nicastro and Logan Bandy.
J.T. Hay – Kickers Coach
The former CFL standout was one of the most accomplished kickers of his era. Hay played 10 of his 11 professional seasons with the Stampeders, retiring in 1988 as the franchise leader with points (1,275), field goals (282), converts (320) and singles (109). He was named to the team's Wall of Fame in 2006 and has coached with the Dinos for the majority of the last decade.
Cory Robinson – Defensive Line Assistant
A U SPORTS All-Canadian in 2017 and a two-time Canada West All-Star, Robinson returns to coach his alma mater for his fifth season. The former standout defensive lineman graduated with 22 total sacks – including 10 in his final season – before starting his coaching career in 2020.
Mike Edem – Defensive Backs Coach
Edem played for the Dinos in 2011 and 2012 and was selected third overall in the 2013 CFL Draft. He had an outstanding 10-year professional career, ending his time in the league with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2022. The former U SPORTS All-Canadian was a CFL East Division All-Star in 2013 with Montreal and a CFL West Division All-Star with Saskatchewan in 2019.
Treshaun Abrahams-Webster – Defensive Backs Coach
Abrahams-Webster returns to the Dinos sidelines this season. The former standout defensive back helped Calgary to its latest Vanier Cup title in 2019 before being drafted by the Ottawa REDBLACKS in 2020. Last season, the Ajax, Ont. native also worked with Sheahan as an assistant coach with the Guelph Gryphons.
Elie Bouka – Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
Bouka played three seasons with the Dinos and was a highlight machine. He played two seasons as a receiver before transitioning to a defensive back, where he would go on to shine professionally. He was with the Arizona Cardinals (2016) and Philadelphia Eagles (2018) before having an outstanding CFL career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders before retiring from football.
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