Ryan Sheahan was named the head coach of the University of Calgary Dinos football program on Dec. 15, 2023.
The seventh head coach in program history, Sheahan is no stranger to the Dinos. He served as the team's assistant head coach and offensive coordinator from 2015-18, developing one of the most potent offences in the nation. Following his previous stint with the Dinos, Sheahan led the Guelph Gryphons for five years.
"We are delighted to welcome Ryan back to the Dinos. He brings an outstanding track record of success as a coach and recruiter, and his future-focused approach makes him the ideal candidate to take this program forward. He connects extremely well with today's athletes, and he is passionate about developing the whole person — as a player, student and future community leader," said Calgary Director of Athletics Ben Matchett. "His experience and growth as a coach during his time at Guelph were evident throughout the process, and we look forward to welcoming Ryan and his family to Calgary as we launch an exciting new era of Dinos Football."
Sheahan was hired as head coach at Guelph on Jan. 10, 2019, and found immediate success. In his first season as a head coach, he led the program to a 6-2 regular season and the No. 3 ranking in the country — Guelph's highest mark in 22 years.
Sheahan guided the Gryphons to two post-season appearances and reached the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) semifinal both times. With Sheahan at the helm, Guelph produced 10 U SPORTS All-Canadians and 11 athletes were selected in the Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft.
"My family and I are excited to return to Calgary and I am deeply honoured to be asked to lead such a prestigious program," Sheahan said. "Calgary is a place where football matters. I am thrilled to embrace the rich tradition that exists here, bring new ideas and build off previous experiences to return this program to a perennial national championship contender."
During his time in Calgary, Sheahan helped the Dinos to Hardy Cup titles during the 2016 and 2017 seasons — including an appearance in the 2016 Vanier Cup. In those four years, Sheahan's offence ranked amongst the best in Canada. The Dinos averaged no less than 500 yards per game on offence and 36 points per game in each of those seasons while losing just three regular season games. During an undefeated 2015 campaign, Sheahan's offence broke school records in points, touchdowns, passing yards and total yards.
Calgary's quarterbacks excelled under Sheahan. In 2015, Andrew Buckley set a national single-season record for passing yards (3,162) en route to capturing his second Hec Crighton Trophy as the U SPORTS Football Player of the Year, and later the Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) Award as the top male athlete in U SPORTS. Buckley was later succeeded by Adam Sinagra, who spent four seasons directing the offence with Sheahan. Sinagra would win the Hec Crighton Trophy in 2018 while breaking Buckley's single-season record for passing yards (3,233).
Sheahan also played an instrumental role in the recruitment of dynamic receivers Jalen and Tyson Philpot. Both played their first year under Sheahan, with Tyson named the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. From 2015 to 2018, 11 Dinos claimed All-Canadian honours on offence and 13 more were chosen in the CFL Draft.
"The Dinos saw some of our best, most exciting football ever with the offence that Ryan installed, and, though he wasn't on the staff that year, his fingerprints were all over our 2019 Vanier Cup championship team," said Matchett. "The foundation of this program is strong, with outstanding alumni and community support led by the 5th Quarter alumni association, and, with Ryan at the helm, we are confident the Dinos will be competing for championships once again."
Sheahan's coaching career began at his alma mater, Queen's University. His first opportunity came as their quarterbacks coach and video coordinator from 2008-12, and he was part of Queen's Vanier Cup championship win in 2009. After a one-year stint as the running backs coach for the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Sheahan returned to the Queen's Gaels as offensive coordinator from 2013-14.
A native of Montreal, Sheahan quarterbacked the Gaels from 2001-04 and finished his playing career overseas in Denmark before joining the Queen's coaching staff. He also holds both a Bachelor of Arts (2009) and a Bachelor of Education (2015) from Queen's.
Sheahan, 43, and his wife, Jillian, have two children: daughters, Payton and Riley.
Coaching Experience
2008-2011: Quarterbacks Coach & Video Coordinator (Queen's)
2012: Running Backs Coach (Hamilton; CFL)
2013-2014: Offensive Coordinator (Queen's)
2015-2018: Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator (Calgary)
2019-2023: Head Coach (Guelph)
All-Time Calgary Dinos Football Coaches
Dennis Kadatz (1964-68)
Mike Lashuk (1969-76, 1978-82)
Peter Connellan (1977, 1983-95)
Tony Fasano (1996-2005)
Blake Nill (2006-2014)
Wayne Harris (2015-2023)
Ryan Sheahan (2024-present)
